- What is Mind/Body Medicine?
- What is Holistic Medicine?
- What is a Holistic Practitioner?
- What are the main benefits of Holistic Medicine?
- What is meant by "Alternative Therapies"?
- How is Holistic Medicine different/similar to Integrative Medicine, Complementary or Alternative Medicine?
- Is Holistic Medicine scientifically based?
- If Holistic Medicine works, why doesn't the mainstream (FDA, AMA, Hospitals) accept it?
- Will a Holistic practitioner fix my problem?
- What is Informed Consent?
- How do I get reimbursed by health care insurance when seeing a Holistic doctor?
- What is an Alternative/Holistic approach to my problem, which is...?
- How much will my wellness program cost?
- What is Melatonin?
- What kind of accommodations do you have for a patient?
- How long do I have to wait to see a doctor?
- Are there any illnesses you don't treat?
- What is Acupuncture?
- How does Acupuncture compare to conventional medicine?
- Are there different styles of Acupuncture?
- What about the Terminology?
- How many needles are used and is it painful?
- How long is each treatment and how many treatments will it take?
- How does the Acupuncturist manage infection control?
- What training is required to practice Acupuncture? Do you have recommendations in this regard?
- How can I make the most of A treatment?
- What can I expect after treatment?
- What questions should I ask to determine if an Acupuncturist is qualified?
- What is Aromatherapy?
- What are Essential oils?
- What are Essential oils made of?
- How do Essential Oils enter the body?
- What exactly is Colour Therapy?
- What exactly is light?
- What exactly is Colour?
- What are the properties of Colour?
- How does Colour Therapy work?
- What is Hemi-Sync®?
- In a nutshell, what is Hemi-Sync®?
- How does Hemi-Sync® work?
- Is Hemi-Sync® on all the tapes and CDs?
- Are all titles available in both tape and CD format?
- Are the Hemi-Sync® frequencies the same on each title?
- How long are Hemi-Sync® tapes and CDs?
- Can someone with hearing loss benefit from Hemi-Sync®?
- Is Hemi-Sync® like hypnosis?
- Are Hemi-Sync® products subliminal?
- Some Hemi-Sync® tapes have sections in which the voice is too low for me to understand. Isn't that subliminal? Or is it a defect in the tape?
- Is Hemi-Sync® recommended for children?
Natural therapies support this concept because they are based on and work with the mind/body connection.
The growing realization and evidence that mind/body techniques such as meditation, yoga, visualization, hypnosis, and relaxation therapies have a significant effect on disease has blossomed into what is commonly called mind/body medicine. The basic concepts of this approach are:
• The mind has a central effect on physical health
• The best way to heal is to treat the whole person
• The people should take an active part in their own health care
• By exercising psychological control, people can prevent or reduce the effects of disease.
Holistic Medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. The practice of Holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and to prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors.
In practice this means that every person is seen as a unique individual, rather than an example of a particular disease. Disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing therefore takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work - changing lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used from medication to meditation.
A Holistic practitioner: 1) views the patient as being ultimately responsible for his/her well being; 2) fosters and maintains a partnership with the patient, using therapies which both feel comfortable; 3) evaluates and recommends treatment options that address the cause of an illness, as well as the symptoms.
The Holistic practitioner may choose or recommend from a variety of both conventional and "alternative" treatments and therapies. Together, the practitioner and patient/client work to develop an optimal course of treatment. This partnership is a powerful approach to healing and is the cornerstone of the Holistic philosophy.
The main benefits of Holistic medicine are
A. The central role of the patient's lifestyle, beliefs, observations and habits is honored. Holistic Medicine recognizes the person who has the illness to be more important that the type of illness that person is manifesting.
B. Treatment methods which are least likely to do harm are used first in Holistic Medicine. These are often also more cost effective than conventional drugs or surgery.
C. Holistic Medicine is part of a worldview which promises to achieve societal change through respect for the individual and for the contribution of diversity to an integrative model of healing. Healing must take place on all levels - individual, social, cultural and planetary - for the survival as well as the happiness of life on earth.
Alternative therapies are those not normally offered by conventional medical personnel. They include but are not limited to, nutrition, herbal medicine, spinal manipulation and body work medicine, "energy medicine," spiritual attunement, relaxation training and stress management, biofeedback and acupuncture.
Holistic Medicine is a term which is inclusive of the connection between the mind, body and spirit in healing. The belief system, lifestyle, social, cultural and environmental milieu, as well as the relationship between patient and practitioner are considered to be important components in the genesis and in the healing of illness. Correction of imbalances in any of these areas will bring relief of symptoms. (Illness in this model is viewed as an opportunity for personal spiritual growth.)
Integrative medicine starts with the conventional Western model of disease, and encompasses other healing methods, such as use of herbal preparations, biofeedback, acupuncture and other systems of treatment. Complementary medicine is those other systems of treatment, in relationship to the central model of conventional medicine of drugs and surgery. Alternative medicine is those other systems as stand-alone options unrelated to Western medicine.
Holistic Medicine is based on principles of practice from many diverse disciplines and healing traditions, many of them much older than the scientific method. However, a great deal of good scientific research has accumulated in the last 50+ years which validates therapies used in Holistic Medicine. The literature has been summarized and compiled by Robert Anderson, MD in The Scientific Basis of Holistic Medicine and forms the body of knowledge upon which the American Board of Holistic Medicine rests.
Change occurs slowly in government and in large institutions. Those in power are never quick to give it up. To fully embrace Holistic medicine would mean decreased revenue to the pharmaceutical industry and to the present medical hospital and insurance establishments.
Change is currently being driven by consumer demand, and will happen as a result of political mandate by the people. At present, only a small fraction of Americans recognize that the system is profit driven and better options are available.
A Holistic practitioner will work with you to develop a treatment program designed to assist you in healing. The idea that anyone else can "fix" your problem is not a part of the Holistic model. Most illnesses and disabilities are the result of a complex interaction of events, habits, and choices and are not amenable to bandaids or "sweeping it under the drug" therapies which do not address the underlying causes.
Informed Consent is the process by which a physician helps a patient arrive at an informed decision regarding treatment options. Sometimes this is very simple and straightforward, such as the decision to apply a cast for a broken bone. Other times it can be extraordinarily difficult, like choosing among various ways of treating cancer. The physician must help the patient understand the disease he/she faces and the risks and benefits of the various modalities.
The patient's hopes and fears must be addressed as well as psychological factors and family expectations. The patient must be aided in coming to an understanding of what this disease means in his/her life at this time. The physician should not hesitate to call on other sources of support and expertise and the patient should be encouraged to seek other opinions and points of view.
The physician should help the patient realize that there is often no "right" answer, but only multiple trade-offs as they negotiate these complex decisions together.
Reimbursement will depend on what type of insurance plan you have. Most Holistic doctors cannot practice under the HMO model, however many PPO or POS plans will reimburse some percentage of the doctor's fee. Be sure to check with your plan and with the doctor's office before your visit.
Remember, the money you spend on a Holistic doctor's services can be thought of as your real health insurance. Don't let dependence on an insurance plan keep you from getting the help you need. If your car needed a tune up, who would you ask to pay? Likewise, if you have recurrent or chronic health problems, and are not happy with the care you are receiving in the current system; don't limit your thinking to what your insurance company will cover. Insurance companies are slow to change, but asking if they cover Holistic services will at least serve to notify them that you, the customer, is interested in something different.
One option to consider is increasing the deductible on your policy (keeping your coverage in the event of serious illness) and using your premium savings to cover the cost of preventative Holistic health care.
Most Holistic practitioners begin with a thorough evaluation of your diet, exercise habits, health history, occupation, family and life history. Since each person is unique, the development of a treatment program is individualized by working with that doctor. Many books are available that can give you an idea of how your problem might be treated.
As with all other services, the cost of Holistic treatment will differ from one practitioner to another and may be discussed prior to making your first appointment. You may choose to check with your insurance company to see what will be covered. You may want to explore financial arrangements that suit your individual needs.
Preventing illness and following wellness plans are ultimately cost effective.]
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland, a tiny pine-cone shaped endocrine (hormone-secreting) organ located at the back of the brain just above the brain stem. Melatonin is also produced by the retina, the light sensitive membrane that lines the eye, and the large intestine, apparently in response to the amount and type of food we eat. Melatonin appears to have important and positive effects upon almost every system of the human body. Melatonin had long been recognized as a sleep promoting agent. Researchers now suggest that melatonin may help to reduce the effects of jet; it is a strong anti-oxidant, a stimulator of the immune system, and a natural pain killer. At present, research is being conducted to determine the role of melatonin in cancer therapy, as a birth control agent, as well as its youth enhancing properties. (The pineal gland and melatonin are believed to be the body's primary time keepers, its clock and Testimonials, imparting information about the time of day, season of the year, and phase of life to the brain and throughout the body.)
We offer private rooms so you are comfortable when talking to your doctor. Our rooms are clean and in good condition. Most have windows to let natural sunlight come in.
We pride ourselves in providing prompt service in all situations. We offer service on an appointment basis. However, there are times when an urgent situation arises and we act accordingly to treat that patient.
We examine and treat or give recommendations on all conditions. We may need to refer you a specialist or the emergency room of a local hospital if needed.
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles into the skin to balance the body's energies and improve health. Health is restored by stimulating certain points on energy pathways, called meridians, to balance the flow of Qi ("chee") and Blood. These points have been used for more than 2000 years to regulate the body's flow of energy through the 12 major meridians that traverse the entire body. The meridians have specific spots, or acupuncture points, on the skin that are used like switches or gates to redirect energy flow to effectively treat many conditions. The meridian system can be likened to the irrigation channels seen in cranberry bogs or rice fields. The gates are opened or closed appropriately to drain or supplement a field that has too much or too little water. Recent technological and scientific advances have verified the locations of these points, which the Chinese have used for centuries. Acupuncture works by redistributing energy in the body to return it to a balanced, healthy state.
In order to get a complete picture of the patient's health and the possible causes of their illness, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners ask many questions. Many of the questions may not seem relevant to the condition at all, but little pieces of information add up to a better diagnosis and treatment plan. Acupuncturists also use the tongue and pulse differently to assess the patients' condition. In Chinese Medicine there are 28 different ways to classify the pulse. More information can be obtained from "reading" a pulse than just its rate. Similarly, there are many different "tongue types," that are based on characteristics (such as the moistness of the tongue's coating, color and thickness, among others) which is used to support a diagnosis or lead to another.
Although acupuncture originated in China almost 3000 years ago, the technique has spread throughout the world. The many techniques that exist today reflect the diverse environmental conditions under which each of the styles developed and include variations of Chinese, European, Japanese, and Korean. Within the major styles, acupuncture can be further defined to include: scalp, ear, hand, foot, laser, wrist-ankle, electro-acupuncture, and many others.
Although many of the concepts used to diagnose and treat with TCM are different from those used by conventional physicians, some of the words used are the same. TCM usually refers to the energy associated with an organ, not to the organ itself. For example, in TCM the term "kidney deficiency" indicates a problem with the Kidney Meridian energy. It does not mean that the kidneys are malfunctioning.
The number of needles used depends upon the particular situation. More needles may not always be better than the few needles. Generally no more than 10 or 12 needles will be used. While needle insertion by a trained acupuncturist shouldn't be painful, some points are more tender than others. Consequently, you may feel a pinching sensation or a feeling similar to a single hair being tugged.
The average treatment usually lasts about forty to sixty minutes. Your first visit will take longer because the practitioner will ask many questions about your daily activities to better understand how your situation developed and to tailor a treatment plan.
Obviously the number of treatments vary with different conditions and individuals. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others many not notice any effect until the seventh or eighth visit. It's been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.
A small number of patients will receive a worsening of symptoms, as the body's energies are returning to normal. This is usual and no need for alarm. It is followed by improvement. Researchers internationally agree the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen. The usual frequency is between two and four times a week.
Patients are urged not to enter an Acupuncture program with the thought of "taking a few" to see what will happen. Even though it is possible to achieve success, a program of ten visits would have a better chance for success. Patients are encouraged to be patient with the healing process. If the treatments are recommended and results occur in just five visits, the doctor may elect to discontinue treatmentsor continue their use to stabilize the condition.
Conditions Recommended for Acupuncture by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.)
Respiratory Diseases
• Acute sinusitis
• Acute rhinitis
• Common cold
• Acute tonsillitis
Bronchopulmonary Diseases
• Acute bronchitis
• Bronchial asthma
Eye Disorders
• Acute conjunctivitis
• Cataract (without complications)
• Myopia
• Central retinitis
Disorders of the Mouth Cavity
• Toothache
• Pain after tooth extraction
• Gingivitis
• Pharyngitis
Orthopedic Disorders
• Periarthritis humeroscapularis
• Tennis elbow
• Sciatica
• Low back pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Spasm of the esophagus and cardia
• Hiccups
• Gastroptosis
• Acute and chronic gastritis
• Gastric hyperacidity
• Chronic duodenal ulcer
• Acute and chronic colitis
• Acute bacterial dysentery
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Paralytic ileus
Neurologic Disorders
• Headache
• Migraine
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Facial paralysis
• Paralysis after apoplectic fit
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Paralysis caused by poliomyelitis
• Meniere's syndrome
• Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
• Nocturnal enuresis
• Intercostal neuralgia
In addition, you might read "An Overview of Medical Acupuncture" by Dr. J.M. Helms. or the Acupuncture Information and Resource Package from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
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Non-physician acupuncturists are required by law in most states to use disposable one-time-use sterilized needles. Physicians because of their experience and background in infection control have the perogative of using re-usable sterilized needles. These needles would need to be sterilized in the same way as any surgical instrument.
Because blood loss and bleeding are minimal with acupuncture, I am not aware of any attempt to require acupuncturists to wear gloves. It is quite reassuring to review the medical literature and not find one documented case where an acupuncturist has transmitted a "personal" infectious disease to a patient or vice versa.
My review of the literature on the risk of infection associated with acupuncture assures me that if one receives acupuncture from a licensed practitioner in North America the risk of a serious infection is drastically less than the risk of a serious accident while traveling to the acupuncturist's office. The exception to this might be acupuncture being delivered in a hospital setting.
Requirements can vary significantly worldwide. In most of Europe a person to legally practice acupuncture must first be a medical doctor. In this country there are non-physicians who are licensed to practice. Again there can be significant variations in requirements depending upon local laws.
You can review our requirements for membership in the AAMA as a guideline for recommendations for physicians wanting special training. We, as an organization, leave issues of credentialing of non-physicians as acupuncturists in the hands of non-physicians and politicians.
Some Tips To Prepare For Your First Acupuncture Treatment
You may find the following list helpful in preparing for your first treatment.
Wear comfortable clothing. The best outfit is one that is comfortable for the patient, yet allows the practitioner access to the body for diagnostic palpation and needle insertion (i.e., sweatpants or shorts). Wear clothing that allows the practitioner access to your arms and legs below the elbows and knees.
Eat a meal about an hour before your treatment. It is difficult to relax when you're really hungry. Similarly, it is not advised that you receive treatment too soon after a large meal. Consumption of alcohol within the few hours following a treatment may decrease or undo the benefits of the treatment.
Tell the practitioner of any medical conditions you might have, even if they don't cause you any trouble. A pacemaker or pregnancy can play a major role in determining an appropriate treatment.
Remove jewelry before the treatment. Certain metals and gems may affect the energy flow in your body, so removing jewelry prior to treatment is advised.
The first thing to do is relax and breathe deeply.
If you feel lightheaded or faint during or after the treatment, tell your practitioner so your treatment can be adjusted or needles withdrawn.
Don't move or change your position suddenly.
If you are uncomfortable or have an itch that is really bothering you, ask your practitioner for assistance.
If at any time you want your treatment stopped,
for any reason, tell your practitioner.
It is important to answer each question accurately and honestly.
If you remember something later that you think might be important, you should tell your acupuncturist at your next visit.
As a general rule, you can expect to feel better.
Patients with acute injuries often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment, especially if they receive treatment immediately. Some patients experience an immediate and total relief of their symptoms, others do not. The relief may last a few days or until the needles are removed. In a few cases, especially chronic conditions, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminishes over the next couple of days.
Sometimes people feel nothing after a treatment. Some people have a sensation of energy moving. It depends on the condition and length of time the person has had the condition and the individual being treated.
If a question makes you feel uneasy or embarrassed, inform the practitioner of your uneasiness. Often an explanation of how the question relates will alleviate the uneasiness, and it may redirect a particular line of questioning. TCM uses emotional states in addition to physical symptoms and signs to arrive at a diagnosis.
• Ask if Licensed by a State Board of Medicine.
• Ask if affiliated with an acupuncture association such as the AAMA, NCCAOM, or AAOM.
Aromatherapy is a gentle but powerful healing art that uses therapeutic grade pure essential oils in a way that can positively affect our physical, emotional and mental health.
Certified Aromatherapists will recommend massage (introduction through the skin) and inhalation (introduction through the respiratory system) as the most effective methods of introducing these wonderfully balanced and Holistic gifts from nature into the human body. For massage, a good quality carrier oil, lotion, cream or salve is used to deliver the essential oils to the area needed. For inhalation, a simmering pot, diffuser, hot tub, sauna - or something as simple as a common cotton ball is used.
While modern science can in some cases duplicate the fragrance of some essential oils, they have been unable to duplicate the benefits each can deliver. Each essential oil is made up of between 50 to 500 different chemicals that occur in nature. Essential oils can be used for pleasure only, to scent your environment, or be used in an effective natural way to enhance beauty and health.
Essential Oils are very volatile substances produced from botanical sources. They are the concentrates of aromatic molecules of the plant or its parts. The molecules can be considered the hormones of the plant, as they control certain functions of the plants life. Many people think of essential oils as the spirit of the plant.
Pure essential oils are naturally occurring substances found in different parts of plants - the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood or resin. Through a complicated and often expensive process of distillation or solvent extraction, these precious oils are captured and bottled. The essential oils are then measured and combined according to the quality each oil possesses, and this blend is then administered to the recipient.
Essential oils are compositions made of the basic organic elements; carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, forming alcohols, esters, ketones, oxides, phenols, and terenes. An essential oil can contain between 10 to 200 components and other minor trace compounds that are very difficult to analyze. Essential oils form very interesting and specific molecules that react against such microorganisms as bacteria and viruses. Such molecules can sometimes form a vitamin composition or a hormone-type chemical.
Three ways...
1. Through our skin. The largest organ in the human body, and accessible to Essential Oils because the molecular structure of the essential oils is so small they can enter through the skin and enter the blood steam. A modern application of this principal is used by many people today and is known as the patch. To quit smoking, or to raise estrogen levels in post menopausal women, medication is introduced at a gentle and consistent level into the body through the skin. massage is another way essential oils are introduced into the body. Essential oils in salves, creams, oils, perfumes all are vehicles of delivery. Essential oils take about half an hour to be absorbed.
2. Through smell. The olfactory system, (nose) sends the chemical message of the essential oils through the limbic part of our brain, which is the oldest part of our brain. Here the message is telegraphed to our central nervous system and to our glands, which control how our body functions. Methods to use here are in baths, diffusers, humidifiers, hot tubs, steams, perfumes, on a hanky, or pillow. Takes only seconds for the message to be received.
3. Ingesting. In North America , ingesting can never be suggested. It is not the best method, in any case, as the essential oils end up reacting with the other materials in the digestive tract, and are often of very little use to the client.
Colour Therapy involves treating a person with colour rays. The application and medium of colour can be given in many ways, but all work to bring the body (subtle and physical) back into harmony, thereby restoring vitality and well-being at all levels.
The science of light is known as Optics. Light is the means by which we see the very colourful world around us. During the day most of the light comes from the sun, but when darkness falls we rely on various kinds of artificial light to keep our lives busy. The light we perceive makes up part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Colour is referred to as Visible Light and which forms part of the electromagnetic spectrum. We cannot perceive colour unless the light waves strike an object. In other words, light gives life to all the forms it strikes and the familiarity of the world in which we live. Thus our visual perception and discrimination is based initially on colour and later on form. It is complementary to allopathic medicine. Many practitioners combine colour with another therapy. Colour therapy aims to help people take responsibility for their own healing through understanding colour in a way best suited to their lifestyle.
There are in fact many aspects to colour but throughout the ages sages, philosophers, scientists and other people have shown that colour affects the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a human being.
Colour itself can be divided into three aspects: Light, chemistry and sensation.
1 Light - The physics of colour involves light and tends toward white light. There are three primary colours - red , green and blue -violet. These three spectral hues are known as light primaries. When each light primary is overlapped the combination of any two hues forms a secondary hue. The final product of all three light primaries and the secondary hues is white light.
Red + Green = Yellow
Blue-Violet + Red = Magenta
Green + Blue-Violet = Light Turquoise
2 Chemistry - The chemistry of colour involves pigments and compounds and tends toward black . These are three primary colours - red , yellow and blue . When the pigment colours are combined they form secondary colours. The final product of the three primaries and secondary colours is black pigment .
Red + Yellow = Orange
Blue + Red = Violet
Yellow + Blue = Green
3 Sensation - The sensory aspect of colour is visual and embraces physiology and psychology. Here one uses the three primary colours plus green . They are all unique and all the other colours come from these four. They unify to form grey .
The physical level world around you is made up of shapes and objects that all have a colour. Colour therefore affects us through the foods we eat, the colours we wear and the colours we use for interior decoration. At a more subtle physical level the chemical elements through a process call spectroscopy show that each element has a specific colour related to it. And through this same method it has been shown that vitamins, minerals and tissue salts all have their own colour too. At an emotional level we often use colour to describe how we are feeling such as "I feel blue", "I'm green with envy", or the characteristic of another fellow human being such as "Yellow-bellied person", "Black-hearted". On a mental level creative imagery/visualisation, lucid dreaming, day dreaming and dreaming all use colour in varying degrees. On a spiritual level many traditions associate colour with a particular ritual of their belief system.
The research into the Human Electromagnetic Field (the HEF or Auric Field as it is more commonly known) has been shown to be made up of colour that is constantly moving and changing according to our thoughts and emotional reactions to those thoughts. With the advent of quantum physics showing that everything is energy and electro-magnetic in nature, Colour Therapy can be seen to be extremely helpful in re-balancing all parts of the physical and subtle bodies of the human being.
Hemi-Sync® is an audio guidance technology that works quite simply by sending different sounds (tones) to each ear through stereo headphones. The two hemispheres of the brain then act in unison to "hear" a third signal - the difference between the two tones. This is not an actual sound, but an electrical signal that can only be perceived within the brain by both brain hemispheres working together.
Hemi-Sync® is a scientifically based and clinically proven "audio-guidance" technology that uses sound to influence brain-wave activity. This patented and highly sophisticated technology is backed by over 40 years of research.
The audio-guidance process works quite simply by sending different sounds (tones) to each ear by stereo headphones. The two hemispheres of the brain then act in unison to "hear" a third signal - the difference between the two tones. This is not an actual sound, but an electrical signal that can only be perceived within the brain by both brain hemispheres working together. The result is a focused, whole-brain state known as hemispheric synchronization, or "Hemi-Sync" - an optimal condition for improving human performance.
Yes.
No. However, we have a separate listing of everything available on CD.]
No. The Hemi-Sync® process has evolved into a sophisticated multi-layering of Hemi-Sync® signals - "designer mixes" of sound frequencies, fashioned to be optimally effective for a given application. Naturally, Hemi-Sync® sleep products incorporate predominately delta frequencies; learning products predominately beta and so forth. However these designer mixes are supplemented with special sound frequencies, which enable the desired result. This is the "key" to the effectiveness of Hemi-Sync.
Most are between 30 and 40 minutes long. Timing varies to accomplish the purpose of each listening experience.
Yes. Doctors and individuals with impaired hearing tell us that the frequencies are effectively carried to the brain by the bones in the ear canal.
Yes, they are similar. Hypnosis is an induced, altered state of mind, in which the body is deeply relaxed, sufficient to be temporarily ignored, except for demands like bladder fullness, etc. It is sometimes described as "focused concentration." This "state" is one in which the participant has perhaps even more control over the body and self than in "ordinary" states of consciousness. Witness the fact that hypnosis is sometimes used for pain control in minor surgeries, childbirth, and even dentistry. It is an expanded state of awareness, in which one can be fully aware of the sensory data from the environment, (sound, light, temperature, etc.) and at the same time can develop awareness of other data sources as well, such as past lives, out-of-body information, information from guides, one's inner self, etc. Neither state can "make" you do anything. You are able to maintain your faculties for choice and value systems, including choosing to follow suggestions from the therapist or not. Hemi-Sync® is designed to leave control in the hands of the listener as well. In this sense, it's somewhat related to self-hypnosis. Hemi-Sync® does not "make" you do anything. It simply creates an effect that helps you move into a certain state, providing that you relax and are open to responding to the Hemi-Sync® process.
No. Subliminal recordings have the intention of embedding a particular thought in the mind of the listener by recording words at sub audible levels, often at high speeds. Hemi-Sync® sound patterns, although recorded at a sub audible level, are not verbal messages and are not recorded at high speed. The purpose of Hemi-Sync® sound patterns is to assist you in obtaining the focused brain state you desire.
No to both questions. By the time the voice becomes low in volume, you are in an extremely relaxed state or perhaps asleep. The words you may not understand are simply a repetition of earlier sections of the recording. They are repeated for purposes of reinforcement, at a very low volume so as not to interfere with your state of relaxation.
All nonverbal recordings are fine for children. With verbally guided titles, we recommend you listen first and then decide based on your child's level of maturity.