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Many people wonder how they can stay well this winter, considering the onset of the flu season and the fear of a possible influenza epidemic. Fortunately, acupuncture and Oriental medicine provide proven steps toward preventing illness and maintaining good health in cold weather.

We hear about so many people catching the flu - but in reality it is only a portion of those exposed to a virus that get sick. Why? According to Oriental medicine's teachings, our bodies get sick when we are in a weakened state. It is only when our immune systems are weakened and our bodies are out of balance that we are vulnerable to sickness.

Acupuncture originated in China between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago. It corrects imbalances in the body's energy systems that cause illness. Practitioners of Oriental medicine identify Qi (pronounced "chee") as the life giving energy that needs to flow freely through the body for good health. Integrated with a wise lifestyle, Oriental medicine can help prevent illness.

Here are Five Tips for Avoiding Illness This Flu season:

1. exercise a little bit everyday. exercise moves the lymphatic system, thereby helping to detoxify the poisons in your body.

2. Keep warm. Make sure your neck and chest are protected from wind, drafts and cold. Use a scarf around your neck when going outside and wear turtle neck shirts or sweaters. The neck is an area where wind can invade the body and cause sickness. The Oriental medical perspective is that wind invasions make people more vulnerable to developing colds and flu. Always keep your feet warm and dry.

3. Get adequate sleep and relaxation. Your body is vulnerable to stress without enough rest. Think about doing some deep breathing exercises to help relax and unwind at the end of the day. Use stress-reduction methods like Qi Gong meditation or yoga.

4. Eat smart. Avoid refined sugars (processed food and baked goods, alcohol, etc.). A diet of refined or simple carbohydrates (white sugar, white bread) raises the body's Ph and allows bacteria, mold, yeast and fungi to thrive. Simple carbohydrates suck up the nutrition your body needs to detoxify, nourish and build new cells and antibodies. This makes you MORE susceptible to illness. Vitalize your nutrition by eating more fresh, organic foods and less processed food. This food has more "Qi" in it.

5. Get Acupuncture. When you get regular acupuncture treatments (as little as once per month) it actually boosts your immune system. Acupuncture strengthen the "Wei Qi" or the protective energy that safeguards us against colds and flu.

Use these Five Tips for Avoiding Illness to keep your body strong and healthy this winter. You can resist illness, the flu or the common cold.

For more than 19 years Steven Sonmore helped people transform their health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist, Oriental bodywork therapist and herbalist. He offers complete health care with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional counseling, Oriental massage, and facial rejuvenation. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical practice and certified by the National certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental medicine. For more information visit http://www.orientalmedcare.com or write to info@orientalmedcare.com or call 612-866-4000. Copyright 2005 by Steven Sonmore. All rights reserved.

Most golfers want to improve their game. Of the many, many choices available, you can find the golf training aid that can help you improve virtually any and every aspect of your game. These include weighted clubs, impact balls, special mats, measuring devices and much, much more. Many golfers would agree that although golf is an easy game to learn, it is difficult to master.

Each golf training aid is designed to help you focus on one thing, such as your stance or your swing. Practicing over and over trains your mind and your body until the correct positioning or motion becomes second nature on the golf course.

However, a golf training aid that works for one person wont necessarily provide someone else the same benefits. Those new to the game of golf have an advantage in using training aidstheir lack of experience means almost any aid will be helpful by providing experience just by using it. More experienced golfers have probably developed bad habits that are harder to change. Or, they have very specific faults they want to address and its harder to find a golf training aid specific enough to improve those faults.

Whether you are a beginner or a golfer who has logged hours on courses around the globe, you will only benefit from training aids that are suited to your needs and your preferred learning methods. Read reviews and keep yourself updated about the teaching aids available. Dont be shy: talk to other golfers and find out what training tools they have found helpful.

Aside from making sure you choose a golf training aid best suited to your needs, make sure your selection makes sense. Be wary of products that make promises as well as those that address a certain skill without also touching on the related skills. For example, a training aid designed to increase your swing speed should also focus on establishing a good swing. What good is a faster swing if you are just hitting the ball into the woods? If the product promises to improve your swing speed without also addressing swing control, quality and accuracy, move on to another aid.

Bear in mind that a golf training aid can only improve your game to the degree that your body is able. If you dont have a good foundation of strength and flexibility, a training aid can only do so much. Work on improving your physical condition along with the specifics of your golf game.

Another important factor in successfully benefiting from a golf training aid is regularly using it. It will take several sessions with the device before you will see a difference in your game. Dont give up too quickly and move your training tool to the garage or basement never to be seen again.

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Dr. Richard Myers provides the avid golfer with the proper golf training aid improve his or her golf game. If the perfect game eludes you, see Richard at ThinkandReachPar.com.