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Post 1 - Medical Pseudoscience - Nicolas Baptiste 

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Post 1 - Medical Pseudoscience - Nicolas Baptiste 

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Acupuncture is the process of inserting needles into various areas of the body to clear the flow of qi described by the Chinese years ago. It is said to treat chronic asthma, stroke rehabilitation, epilepsy, insomnia, morning sickness, glaucoma, high blood pressure, low blood pressure and much more. There isn’t much scientific proof how this method can treat such a wide list of illnesses. This is because of the different factors involved at acupuncture rooms such as smells and dimmed lights, setting a relaxing environment. A red flag that arises in this method of treatment is mystical energy. The Chinese believe that qi can’t flow properly through the body until it is cleared by using needles.

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Deepak Chopra thinks that someone can accomplish perfect health free from pain and diseases and cannot die. He believes that the body is comprised not of matter but of energy and information. Chopra says that human aging is fluid and changeable and is determined by your state of mind. Appeal to authority and ancient wisdom are two red flags that connect with Chopra’s Quantum Healing. Since Deepak went to medical school, many are drawn to his teachings. His degrees and certifications give him a level of status which is valued by the world. Ancient wisdom is another red flag because he teaches alternative methods of healing.

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Deepak Chopra - How to Activate Self Healing

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Annie Tarasova talks about energy crystals in this video. She mentions that there’re many different crystals and they all have their different purposes. Crystals work on special energy vibrations which serves a healing or enhancing purpose on different parts of the body. She mentions the areas they are normally placed such as the neck to rest on the heart, the crown of the head, wrist etc. Annie also speaks about many royalties placing the pieces of crystals in jewellery and wearing them. Ancient wisdom is a red flag that connects with crystals because the romans once used this method of healing and it has been followed for many years. Another red flag is mystical energy because it is believed that the crystals have energy vibrations that connect to vibrations in our body.

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CRYSTALS: How They Work & Crystal Meanings

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In this picture is a copper bracelet that is worn on the wrist they are used for easing pain such as arthritis. They are said to generate a minimum of 20 percent improvement in tender and swollen joints. Various people have made claims that the way it works is that small pieces of copper rub off the copper bracelet onto the skin, which then absorbs into the body. Joints and cartilage that has been lost due to arthritis is regrown by this copper and helps to cure the condition and relieve pain. People who wear the bracelet often mistake the moments when they feel good because of no strenuous activities for the copper bracelet working. This can tie into the red flag Confusion of Correlation with Causation.

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This picture shows different herbs and what people use them for. Many people believe in the use of herbs and other home remedies to cure illnesses. Some listed in the picture are rosemary, used to treat coughing, ginger, used to help with nausea and cayenne, used to clear congestion. These treatments have very minimal scientific evidence or none at all to prove the validity. However, they provide an alternative way of thinking to modern day medicines and practices. It is the belief by many that modern medications and antibiotics are harmful to the body. A red flag that is connected to this is ancient wisdom they used this practice as an alternative method of healing.

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This image is of psychic surgeon Laurence. Psychic surgeons claim tomelt or remove cysts, tumors, calcium deposits, pus, energy blockages, etc. from the body. They do this by using their hands alone. They don’t use any anesthesia, stitches or pharmaceutical drugs. Laurence claims that you can get up and resume daily activities within seconds of the surgery without any scaring. Psychic surgeons also do healing by their hands where they place their hands on you and pray. Red flags that arise are mystical energy ancient wisdom and ideology.

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Ear Candling is a procedure that was done along with massages as being relaxing. It was later introduced as an alternative way of cleaning wax from inside your ear drum. This website speaks about some of the dangers of using ear candles such as serious burns, candle wax blocking the ear canal and temporary loss of hearing. Doctors have tested these candles, taking before and after images of the ear canal and proving that they don’t remove anything. What is seen when the ear candles are cut open is actually burnt material from the candle that resembles wax. Patternicity can be a reason for belief because people see what they think to be ear wax. This product is dangerous and should not be used because it can cause ear infections.

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We are often asked about ear candling as a way to clean ears. Does it work, and do you really even need to clean your ears? We do recommend that anyone who is concerned about their hearing or feels they may need wax removed from their ears consult a Hearing Care Professional for a thorough assessment before doing anything to their ears.

Ear candling is a procedure that has a long history as a remedy for a variety of ailments including ear cleaning. We don't recommend this procedure for a variety of reasons. First, ears are delicate and generally self-cleaning so earwax isn't usually a problem that requires cleaning "procedures." In fact, we don't even want people putting cotton swabs in their ears!

Ear candling isn't effective either. We have seen people post-ear candling who were shocked to learn that their ears were still full of wax. They are surprised because the practitioner performing the ear candling showed them a chunk of goo and told them it was earwax when it was probably more candle wax than anything else.

If you are considering ear candling, it is important to be aware that there is no way for the ear candling practitioner to verify their claim that the residue they show you is in fact earwax. When you come see us at a Connect Hearing clinic, we are able to view the ear canal with a special magnified light called an otoscope to confirm whether or not you have a wax buildup. It is also important to know that the sensation that your ears are blocked with wax is often an early sign of untreated hearing difficulty. A thorough hearing assessment is the best place to start. Finally, it is extremely important that the public be aware that ear candling can place them at an increased risk for injury. Per Health Canada, the following are some of the injuries that have been reported during/after ear candling:

serious burns

injuries caused by hot wax dripping into ears, or onto skin or hair

candle wax blocking the ear canal

punctured ear drum

temporary loss of hearing

Because of these risks and lack of benefit, the Government of Canada has made it illegal to import or sell ear candles for medical reasons.

At your local Connect Hearing clinic, we can tell you if your ears require wax removal and, if wax removal is needed, we will recommend safe alternatives to ear candling. To have your ears checked, find the clinic nearest you and schedule an appointment at your local Connect Hearing centre today!

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Does Ear Candling Safely Remove Wax - FAQ | Connect Hearing

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Small Font Medium Font Large Font BOOK NOW 1-888-501-2661 BOOK NOW 1-888-501-2661 FIND A CLINIC NEAR YOU We are often asked about ear candling as a way to clean ears. Does it work, and do you really even need to clean your ears?

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Cupping therapy is used to increase blood flow, relieve pain, help with inflammation, headache, common cold and much more. Although it sounds very appealing it is no different than acupuncture. To some people cupping can be painful. It leaves circles on your skin or sometimes bruising. Cupping can be done wet or dry. It is done by placing fire in the cups made of glass, bamboo, earthenware or silicone then outing the fire and placing it onto the body. A suction then occurs, and this is left for about three minutes. This therapy can be linked to the red flag antient wisdom.

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Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

The cups may be made of:

Glass

Bamboo

Earthenware

Silicone

Cupping therapy might be trendy now, but it's not new. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C.

Types

There are different methods of cupping, including:

During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, he puts the cup upside down on your skin.

As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes therapists use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.

Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, he or she does a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood.

You might get 3-5 cups in your first session. Or you might just try one to see how it goes. It's rare to get more than 5-7 cups, the British Cupping Society notes.

Afterward, you may get an antibiotic ointment and bandage to prevent infection. Your skin should look normal again within 10 days.

Cupping therapy supporters believe that wet cupping removes harmful substances and toxins from the body to promote healing. But that's not proven.

Some people also get "needle cupping," in which the therapist first inserts acupuncture needles and then puts cups over them.

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What Is Cupping Therapy? Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More

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Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

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Some parents choose to deliver their baby at home. This website talks about the risks involved and how to plan for it. It is recommended that if it is a multiple baby pregnancy that they go to the hospital or if the baby doesn’t settle in a position that allows for a head first delivery. They also speak about reasons why some parents choose to have their babies at home, such as comfortability, cultural or religious concerns which tie into the red flag of ideology. Another reason is the desire to give birth without medical intervention which connects with the red flag all natural. This method is risky because there isn’t medical equipment to monitor your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and your baby's heart rate. There is also a greater risk of infant death and seizures.

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Home birth: Know the pros and cons

Wondering if a planned home birth is right for you? Get the facts about the possible risks and how to prepare for the big day.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
If you're considering a planned home birth, you probably have questions. Is it safe? Will you need a midwife or doula? How do you create a backup plan? Find out what's involved and how to decide if this birthing method is right for you.

Why do women choose planned home births?

If you deliver at home, labor management might differ from what you experience in a hospital setting. During labor at home, your health care provider will periodically - rather than continuously - monitor your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and your baby's heart rate.

You might choose a planned home birth for many reasons, including:

A desire to give birth without medical intervention, such as pain medication, labor augmentation, labor induction or fetal heart rate monitoring

A desire to give birth in a comfortable, familiar place surrounded by family

Dissatisfaction with hospital care

A desire for freedom and control in the birthing process

Cultural or religious concerns

A lack of access to transportation

Lower cost

Are there situations when a planned home birth isn't recommended?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cautions against a planned home birth if:

You are pregnant with multiples

Your baby doesn't settle into a position that allows for a headfirst delivery

You've previously had a C-section

What might cause the need for a hospital transfer?

During a planned home birth, you might need to be transported to a hospital for monitoring or treatment if complications develop. Your health care provider might recommend transfer to a hospital if:

Labor isn't progressing

Your baby shows signs of distress

Your baby presents in a position other than headfirst

You need pain relief

You have high blood pressure

You experience bleeding

What are the possible risks of a planned home birth?

While most pregnant women who choose to have planned home births deliver without complications, research suggests that planned home births are associated with a higher risk of infant death and seizures than are planned hospital births.

There are several factors that might reduce the risks of these complications, including having:

Assistance from a certified nurse-midwife

Access to a practicing obstetric doctor

A plan for emergency transport to the nearest hospital

How do I prepare for a home birth?

You can prepare for a planned home birth by:

Choosing trained health care providers to assist. Choose a certified nurse-midwife, a certified midwife, a midwife whose education meets specific standards or a doctor practicing obstetrics within an integrated and regulated health system. Make sure he or she has access to consultation with doctors or specialists at a collaborating hospital. If you're interested in additional support, consider hiring a professional labor assistant (doula). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends having present at least one trained person whose primary responsibility is caring for your newborn.

Creating a birth plan. Will you use any specific methods to cope with pain? Do you want to labor in a tub? Will you breast-feed your baby immediately after delivery? Discuss your birthing plan with your health care provider and ask about supplies you'll need, such as protective coverings for your floor or mattress.

Preparing for a hospital transfer. Discuss with your health care provider the signs and symptoms that might necessitate going to a hospital and how a transfer will affect your birthing plan. Ideally, your home or other planned birth location is within 15 minutes of a hospital with 24-hour maternity care. Make sure you have access to transportation. Ask your health care provider to make arrangements with a nearby hospital to ensure that you can be promptly transferred and treated, if necessary.

Hospitals or certified birth centers are the safest settings for delivery. However, you have the right to make an informed decision about where you prefer to deliver. Keep in mind that life-threatening problems can occur during labor and delivery without warning. In those cases, the need to transfer you and your baby to a hospital could delay care, which could put your lives at risk. Understand the risks and benefits of a home birth before you make a decision about where to deliver.

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Wondering if a planned home birth is right for you? Get the facts about the possible risks and how to prepare for the big day. By Mayo Clinic Staff If you're considering a planned home birth, you probably have questions. Is it safe? Will you need a midwife or doula?

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Post 11 - Reflective Discussion Questions

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Post 11 - Reflective Discussion Questions