Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, taking place from January 8-11, 2019.
Human Touch will be exhibiting in Booth #36700, inside of South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. During the show, Human Touch will be sharing the newest and most advanced wellness solutions on the market today, and featuring their revolutionary Human Touch Ascent Series® massage chairs.
Since its debut this earlier this year, the Ascent Series Novo XT2 massage chair has quickly established itself as one of the most modern massage chairs in the industry. It is unlike any other wellness solution with its selection of innovative and custom–tailored massage options that help the user to recover from the strains of the day. It captivates with its unibody design, delivering three-dimensional massage along the entire length of the spine and all the way down to the thighs. Its narrated demo option walks you through the features of the chair and describes the health benefits of each function. In addition, the chair has an accompanying downloadable app that allows you to control the chair from your Android or iOS device.
To make the user experience even more engaging, you can enjoy the enveloping melody of your favorite music through the Altec Lansing Premium Sound System, or play one of eight calming nature tracks with the built-in Sound Soothe. The Novo XT2 will also be showcased at the Altec Lansing Booth #16029 inside of Central Hall. This year on its 40th anniversary Human Touch will again have the pleasure of unveiling a new Ascent Series massage chair.
“There is no better way to welcome the new year and celebrate our 40 years in the industry than with our Novo XT2 massage chair and the unveiling of a new Ascent Series massage chair,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “CES is the global stage of innovation and has a highly regarded reputation of presenting the best technologies of tomorrow. Our newest launch will be nothing short of delivering on this promise.”
CES showcases more than 4,400 exhibiting companies, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more, and draws over 182K industry professionals, including more than 63,00 from outside the U.S.
Join Human Touch in Booth #36700 at CES 2019 to experience these amazing wellness products for yourself, and find out what massage can do to help you be your best and feel your best. Learn more about the Novo XT2.
About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today's hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.
Media Contact:
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Corp. Ph: 562-733-7300
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com
Well race season is wrapping up and it’s time to review the inner workings of each race and the mechanics of the racecar. But just as important are reviewing films and contracts, team recovery and racecar rebuilding. Not only is the racecar rebuilt but the entire crew needs to take time to rest, refresh and reenergize. It’s during off season that I spend my mornings in the shop, and then head to the office.
In my office I have the iJOY® Massage Chair 2.1 by Human Touch®, and that is where I spend most of my time. This chair is stylish, comfortable and perfect for any space of any size. It is not unusual to see car parts around my office, limiting the amount of room space, plus we also use my office for crew meetings. There is not much room and for that reason the iJOY chair is the perfect size. The iJOY is a smaller portable size massage chair, so it is ideal for my office. The funniest thing about my massage chair is it is NEVER EMPTY! It is not unusual to see my crew fighting over who gets to sit in it.
After getting some heavy work done in the shop, it is nice to have a chair where I can enjoy the benefits of massage. This chair uses long strokes, kneading, compression, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize me while I review race films, post to social media and answer emails. The positive effects of the iJOY massage chair are that it reduces my stress level, back pain and muscle tension.
Outside of the massage effects, the iJOY chair is a comfortable chair. It provides a great place to just sit and relax. I can be found watching TV in it after my workday has ended. The chair has convenient side zippered pockets where I keep the chair remote, tissues and my TV remote. It truly is the perfect chair to unwind.
Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of the elegant Gravis ZG Chair to the Human Touch family, launching November 2018. With the introduction of exciting and upgraded features, the Gravis ZG Chair combines the benefits and comfort of zero gravity seating with air massage technology. The chair’s seating positions are easily customizable with an intuitive handheld control and for additional customization options, a downloadable app available on iOS and Google Play.
“The Gravis ZG Chair is in a class of its own,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “We’re thrilled to introduce this revolutionary new chair which combines comfort, design and innovation so elegantly and seamlessly. I can see consumers truly enjoying and reaping the wellness benefits Gravis offers.”
Meet the Gravis ZG Chair:
* The Gravis ZG Chair by Human Touch features One-Step Zero Gravity Seating, enabling you to recline instantly into a neutral body posture chaise position that reduces the forces of gravity acting on your spine and vertebrae, thus helping reduce pressure and relieve pain.
* It offers targeted massage benefits, including lumbar massage and stretch massage. It’s also fully adjustable, which means that you can use the remote to individually power-adjust the headrest, backrest and footrest for optimal support.
* You also have three targeted heat zones on the back, seat, and leg areas that can be turned on separately or simultaneously.
* The chair’s downloadable iOS and Google Play apps are equipped with even more customizable chair features. Included is the memory setting feature which will allow you to create up to nine custom memory settings so that you can find and save your ideal seating position and massage program.
* You can also enjoy the pre-programmed positions for TV watching and napping, which can be further customized to personal preference. The smart motion feature will let you know when you’ve been sitting in one position for too long through subtle chair movements. Lastly, the smart sitting position will wake you up when desired by restoring the chair to the upright position.
Gravis retails for $4,999 and will be available through the Human Touch website and retailers such as Relax the Back. Chair wood base colors include: Beech and Mahogany. Either base can be combined with one of three leather pad options: Saddle, Sand or Bone.
About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for almost 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com. Follow Human Touch on Facebook and Twitter @HTFeelBetter.
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com
Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting the Novo XT2 massage chair at the highly anticipated FEI World Equestrian Games beginning September 11, 2018. The FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) which are administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport, is the major international championship event for the eight core equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. The FEI WEG is held every four years and it’s one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar.
“We’re looking forward to attending and showcasing our wellness products at such a unique sporting event as is the FEI World Equestrian Games” said David Wood, CEO for Human Touch. “This is a rare opportunity for us to understand a new sporting experience and educate potential customers about our products. We hope that by showcasing our newly launched Novo XT2 massage chair we will capture the attention of new enthusiasts.”
Organizers from the event are anticipating 1,000 athletes, 1,500 horses and 500,000 spectators from more than 70 countries in the span of two weeks from September 11th to September 23rd. Join Human Touch as we will be delivering one of a kind experiences in our award winning chairs. Our tent will be located in Section A5 Position 1 at the vendor village.
About the Novo XT2 Massage Chair:
The Novo XT2 offers the highly advanced Altec Lansing Premium Sound System that allows the user to fully immerse themselves in their music of choice while enjoying a relaxing massage. You can connect any phone or music device to the built-in speaker via Bluetooth with ease while listening to quality sound. For a further enveloping experience, the built-in Sound Soothe function of the chair provides calming sounds of nature, creating a more therapeutic and relaxing massage experience.
TheNovo XT2 also offers a Narrated Demo that walks you through the features of the chair and describes the health benefits of each function. It’s newly redesigned LCD Remote Control allows users to easily manage the chair’s full suite of programs and features on the crystal-clear LCD screen. In addition, one of the most gratifying features of the chair has to be the accompanying Downloadable App that allows you to control the chair from your Android or iOS device.
Additional features of the Novo XT2 include:
* 35 Auto-Wellness Programs, including full-body immersion, deep tissue, and an effective collection of therapeutic relaxation and recovery programs.
* An Extending Foot and Calf Massager with under-foot rollers for optimized reflexology and adjustable intensity for calves and feet, which automatically adjusts for a variety of user heights.
* The Dual Lumbar Heat is adjustable and has targeted heat that gently soothes the back to loosen tight muscles and helps relieve pain.
* Advanced Multi-Dimensional Massage Technology with S – and L – Track Systems extend massage coverage from the shoulders and spine down to the thighs.
* Cloud Touch Acupressure uses strategically-placed air cells to apply pressure to key healing points and manipulate the body to stretch the muscles.
* In the Zero-Gravity position, the Novo XT2 cradles your back and elevates your legs above your heart, moving the body into an optimized neutral-posture position for a more soothing and refreshing massage experience.
* The expansive “bend and stretch” functionality of the Full-Body Stretch provides unprecedented leg and spine relief, enabling a more rapid full-body recovery.
* The Space-Saving Design of the Novo XT2 requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.
* The Built-In USB Port can charge your favorite hand-held device while you listen to music, watch videos, or read an eBook.
About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for almost 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.
Media Contact:
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com
Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting the much anticipated Novo XT2 massage chair at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23rd – 29th. The Human Touch booth will be located in EAA Exhibit Hangar D, Booth #4026, where more than 880 exhibitors will showcase their products and services to more than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts from over 80 countries around the world.
“The EAA show is the perfect opportunity to share our wellness solutions. Much like the aviation industry, we are constantly looking to find innovative and creative ways to improve the user experience for customers and enthusiasts alike” said David Wood, CEO for Human Touch. “The Novo XT2 massage chair is a great example of that as its capabilities and features are unlike anything you’ve seen or experienced before. Customers will find that the Novo XT2 isn’t just for a specific user, rather, it is uniquely versatile as it adjusts to the likes and needs of any individual.”
About the Novo XT2 Massage Chair:
One of the distinguishing differences between the Novo XT2 and its competitors is the Altec Lansing Premium Sound System that allows the user to fully immerse themselves in their music of choice while enjoying a relaxing massage. You can connect any phone or music device to the built-in speaker via Bluetooth with ease while listening to quality sound. For a further enveloping experience, the built-in Sound Soothe function of the chair provides calming sounds of nature, creating a more therapeutic and relaxing massage experience.
Making the user experience even more engaging, the Novo XT2 offers a Narrated Demo that walks you through the features of the chair and describes the health benefits of each function. The Novo XT2’s newly redesigned LCD Remote Control allows users to easily manage the chair’s full suite of programs and features on the crystal-clear LCD screen. In addition, one of the most gratifying features of the chair has to be the accompanying Downloadable App that allows you to control the chair from your Android or iOS device.
Additional features of the Novo XT2 include:
* 35 Auto-Wellness Programs, including full-body immersion, deep tissue, and an effective collection of therapeutic relaxation and recovery programs.
* An Extending Foot and Calf Massager with under-foot rollers for optimized reflexology and adjustable intensity for calves and feet, which automatically adjusts for a variety of user heights.
* The Dual Lumbar Heat is adjustable and has targeted heat that gently soothes the back to loosen tight muscles and helps relieve pain.
* Flex 3D Massage Technology has five intensity settings where you can adjust your massage intensity for a therapeutic, full enveloping massage with just the right pressure.
* Cloud Touch Acupressure uses strategically-placed air cells to apply pressure to key healing points and manipulate the body to stretch the muscles.
* In the Zero-Gravity position, the Novo XT2 cradles your back and elevates your legs above your heart, moving the body into an optimized neutral-posture position for a more soothing and refreshing massage experience.
* The expansive “bend and stretch” functionality of the Full-Body Stretch provides unprecedented leg and spine relief, enabling a more rapid full-body recovery.
* The Space-Saving Design of the Novo XT2 requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.
* The Built-In USB Port can charge your favorite hand-held device while you listen to music, watch videos, or read an eBook.
The Novo XT2 is available in Black, Red, Gray, Cream, and Espresso, and sells for a retail price of $8,999. It is available online and at stores nationwide.
About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for almost 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.
Media Contact:
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com
Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of three new products to the iJOY family line-up. The iJOY 2.1 Massage Chair, the iJOY 4.0 Massage Chair and the iJOY Foot & Calf Massager are launching in June 2018. Designed to be equal parts stylish, comfortable and powerful, Human Touch iJOY massage products are an attractive addition to any room and active lifestyle. The addition of the iJOY 2.1 and 4.0 massage chairs and iJOY Foot & Calf massager complete the iJOY line-up by bridging the gap for the active massage enthusiast seeking a compact, yet powerful massage wellness solution.
“Human Touch is on the forefront of providing wellness solutions and massage products. We strive to be the best, but in order to do be the best we must understand the needs of our growing customer base. The iJOY family line-up is a reflection of that goal by developing the best massage technology without compromising on design and functionality.” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch.
Meet the iJOY family product line-up:
* The new iJOY 4.0 Massage Chair by Human Touch features FlexGlide Duo™, a dual robot technology that can simultaneously massage your back and glutes. You can enjoy any of four intelligently designed, invigorating auto-massage programs, or customize your experience. As an added convenience, the iJOY 4.0 offers a Tech Cradle with a USB port to keep your phone close and charged. Sleek and compact, the iJOY 4.0 is the perfect addition to any room.
* The new iJOY 2.1 Massage Chair allows you to customize your massage using a wide variety of massage techniques. The FlexGlide® orbital massage technology replicates techniques used by massage professionals to relax and recharge your body. You can choose from two stationary massage techniques, a rolling massage, or you can select one of the three auto massage programs. The chair’s compact design, easy for storage and maneuverability, also delivers on convenience by offering zippered pockets on both sides of the chair.
* The new iJOY Foot & Calf Massager offers Human Touch’s exclusive CirQlation® and Figure-Eight® Technologies that are designed to refresh and invigorate sore muscles. It also provides a powerful underfoot reflexology massage to revive the arches and soles of over-stressed feet. Offering portability and convenience, the iJOY Foot & Calf massager is perfect for the home or work.
* The iJOY® Massage Anywhere® by Human Touch is a powerful, portable solution that provides the perfect massage anytime (and anywhere). The iJOY Massage Anywhere uses a rechargeable battery to provide two full hours of portable massage and offers the same powerful FlexGlide orbital massage found in the iJOY line of massage chairs.
About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for almost 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.
Follow Human Touch on Facebook and Twitter @HTFeelBetter.
Media Contact:
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com
We’re pleased to announce that Human Touch has received an exclusive endorsement by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) for its massage chairs as a valid supplement to back-care therapies. The WFC is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers, promotes, and unites chiropractors and the chiropractic profession. It is comprised of national associations of chiropractors in 88 countries, representing them and the chiropractic profession in the international community. The WFC has been a non-governmental organization or NGO, in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1997, and collaborates with many federations representing other healthcare professions.
After thoroughly investigating Human Touch products, the WFC has concluded that Human Touch massage chairs and Zero-Gravity Perfect Chair® Recliners can serve as an important tool for back pain sufferers by alleviating and preventing spinal stress, which is a leading cause of back pain and related disability. According to the WFC, over 80% of Americans will be disabled by back pain at some point during their lives, and persistent/chronic back pain is the single most disabling condition for working-age Americans.
“Human Touch products are superior in technology, quality, and ability to prevent or alleviate spinal stress, therefore the WFC endorses Human Touch’s products in the treatment and care of back pain and spinal disorders,” said the WFC’s Secretary-General, Richard Brown. “The WFC will continue to recommend to patients who suffer from back pain to combine chiropractic care with a Human Touch massage chair or Perfect Chair recliner in order to achieve their overall wellness goals.”
Among the Human Touch products available, the Perfect Chair zero-gravity recliners and the Ascent Series Novo XT are particularly ideal for assisting in back pain, spinal alignment, and posture.
The Perfect Chair’s body-frame ergonomics are inspired by the neutral body posture chaise position developed by NASA to support astronauts during their ascent into orbit. This virtually weightless position provides relaxation and minimum muscle tension and is the doctor-recommended position in which the spine, hips, and knee joints are on or close to the balanced midpoint of the muscles.
The Perfect Chair’s sleek and elegant design in addition to its zero-gravity engineering make it a great way to relieve the soreness, tension, and fatigue caused by the constant load-bearing. The Perfect Chair comes in a variety of different styles and colors.
Learn more about all of our Human Touch Perfect Chairs here.
The Human Touch Novo XT features a striking design and best-in-class performance, and provides a therapeutic massage that can be custom-tailored to fit your lifestyle so that you can be and feel your best. The Novo XT captivates with its Unibody design, which enhances the style of any room. Its distinctive L-Track massage system also covers 60% more of your back than conventional massage chairs, delivering three-dimensional massage along the entire length of your spine and all the way down to your glutes and thighs. Create your own custom massage experience with five intensity settings, and three deep-tissue massage programs designed to soothe, stretch, and rejuvenate your entire body.
Learn more about the Human Touch Novo XT here.
“We’d like to thank the World Federation of Chiropractic for this recognition,” said David Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Human Touch. “To have an endorsement coming from such a well-known and respected organization is a testament of our commitment to providing top of the line wellness solutions to those who seek and need it most. It is our mission to continue educating and enhancing the lives of people through our innovative massage and healing solutions.”
In its ongoing commitment to enhancing the wellness of consumers everywhere, Human Touch also offers a Wellness Council. Through the Wellness Council, Human Touch has brought together influential individuals with a variety of wellness experiences and expertise to educate people about how to achieve a healthier and happier life by integrating massage, relaxation, sound posture, and balance into their daily routine. To learn more about the Wellness Council or to get daily, expert prescriptions on achieving a healthier lifestyle, click here.
I have Osteoarthritis in my spine, hips, knees, and ankles. I have had a spinal fusion (ACDF) of C3-C7 in my cervical spine. I am in constant pain in my neck, upper and lower back. I also have pain and muscle spasms in my shoulders and between my shoulder blades. Also, pain in my knees and ankles from the degeneration from osteoarthritis. Very few things decrease that pain. Norco and muscle relaxers help when it’s at its worst, but I don’t take either regularly. I just choose to deal with chronic pain.
I bought an $11,000 adjustable Tempur-Pedic bed and pillow. This bed took 50% of my pain away when laying in it, which is the best I’ve had since the chronic pain started.
Until...I decided to take the plunge and buy the Perfect Chair PC-LiVE. This chair is now my go-to for pain relief! It takes 75% of my pain away, more than even the medication! When I’m sitting in the chair, my pain melts away. As soon as I get up, it returns, but anyone with chronic pain will know that getting relief for even a temporary period of time, IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD!
With my old recliner I had a neck pillow, lumbar support pillow, a sciatic pillow to sit on, and a heating pad and I was still in pain. With the Perfect Chair, the neck support pillow takes the place of my other neck pillow, the lumbar support works better than the half dome pillow I had, the fluid-filled seat doesn’t need a sciatic pillow, and the jade heat stones work better than the heating pad. Also, the memory foam seating is like sitting on a cloud. It really is a chair that covers EVERY pain issue!
The zero gravity position is awesome. I can fall asleep in that position with no medication, which says a lot. The other great thing about this chair is that the position I sit in to watch TV or read is just as comfortable. I honestly wonder if it’s magic.
I have no complaints about this chair. Not even the price. The leather is premium and in my opinion, nothing is better than sitting in a chair with that amazing smell of high quality leather surrounding you. It is very easy to use, and I appreciate the 5-year full-coverage warranty! Is it an expensive chair? Yes. Is it worth it and more? YES!
I honestly thought that my Tempur-Pedic bed was the best out there to help with my pain, and it is awesome and worth the money, but this chair exceeds it. If I had to choose one, I would pick this chair. I’m blessed to have the best of both worlds with the dream bed and the dream chair. I foresee a lot less pain medication in my future!
If I could kiss the creator of this chair, I would.
-Sheri Zwaanstra
Dr. James Rouse, Human Touch Wellness Council Member and Naturopathic Physician, shares how he uses the Novo XT massage chair to accomplish his own goals and personal mastery.
Photo by Antonika Chanel on Unsplash
Written By: Dr. Hoon C. Kim, Acupuncturist and Human Touch Wellness Council Member
What is Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune Diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system attacks the body and destroys or alters tissues. There are more than eighty serious chronic illnesses in this category including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Guillain–Barré syndrome.
According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) twenty percent of the population suffers from autoimmune disorders. Each disease appears uncommon on an individual basis but, as a group, the disorders make up the fourth-largest cause of disability among women.
Due to the complexity of treating autoimmune disorders, integrative medicine solutions including acupuncture and Asian medicine have received much attention as successful therapies in their treatment particularly for use in providing pain relief, regulating the immune system, managing symptoms and improving overall quality of life.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the cells of one's own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases which encompass a broad category of over 100 diseases in which the person's immune system attacks his or her own tissue.
The exact mechanisms causing these changes are not completely understood, but bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop such a disorder. It is theorized that the inflammation initiated by these agents, toxic or infectious, somehow provokes in the body a "sensitization" (autoimmune reaction) in the involved tissues.
As the disease develops vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and muscle pain, general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever, trouble concentrating, or weight loss. The following symptoms may point toward something being wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, dry eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.
How Acupuncture Treats Autoimmune Disorders
According to East Asian medicine, autoimmune disorders occur when there is imbalance within the body. Imbalance can come from an excess or deficiency of yin and yang that disrupts the flow of Qi, or vital energy, through the body. Acupuncture is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the disorder, while specifically addressing the symptoms that are unique to each individual.
Clinical research has shown that acupuncture causes physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure, body temperature and the immune system.
In addition to acupuncture, your treatment program to manage your autoimmune disorder may involve a combination of therapies including stress reducing exercises, moderate physical activity, herbal medicine and nutritional support.