Eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Choose whole-grain, nonfat or low-fat foods. Be physically active. Watch calories. Limit fat. Get enough calcium.

We live in a world with a dizzying amount of scientific research pointing to foods and habits that make for good health. In an ideal universe, that’s good news. If we exercise and eat right, we give our bodies essential nourishment and movement to work at their best.

Yet our world is far from ideal. The demands of work, family and community can keep people from preparing healthy meals. And lack of time often forces us to turn to quick-fix foods that are high in fat, sugar, sodium, or calories, and low in essential nutrients.

The solution isn’t to find more time, but to work with the schedule you do have.

In this issue:

• Focus on Eating Smart
• Take That Relaxation Break
• Health Calculators
• Some Common Time Wasters
• How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

An alternative medical system is a set of practices based on a philosophy. Most of these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical system used in the United States. The following are two examples of alternative medicines:

Homeopathic medicine, or homeopathy, is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathy is based on the idea that “like cures like.” That is, if a substance causes a symptom in a healthy person, giving the person a very small amount of the same substance may cure the symptoms. Historically, people have used homeopathy to maintain health and treat a wide range of long-term illnesses, such as allergies, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. They have also used it to treat minor injuries, such as cuts and scrapes and muscle strains or sprains.

Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is based on the belief that the body can heal itself naturally. Naturopathic medicine attempts to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness by promoting the use of organic foods and exercise; encouraging a healthy, balanced lifestyle; and applying concepts from other areas of complementary medicine (such as ayurveda, homeopathy, and herbal therapies). People use naturopathic medicine for promoting good health, preventing disease, and treating illness. Most naturopaths can treat earaches, allergies, and other common medical problems. Naturopathic medicine tries to find the underlying cause of the condition rather than focusing solely on treating symptoms. A properly trained naturopathic physician works with other health professionals, referring people to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

Be sure to check your health plan’s benefit summary to learn if alternative medicine options are covered by your plan. And always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Source: WebMD®

In this issue:

• Focus on a Healthy Heart
• Sharing – The Thing to Do
• Screening Guidelines for Healthy Adults
• Defusing Difficult Conversations
• Analyzing Your Financial Picture

Acute low back pain can be emotionally upsetting and physically uncomfortable. It can interfere with normal daily activities, job performance or sleep. Symptoms may include discomfort or pain in your lower back, limited flexibility, inability to stand straight, or burning pain or numbness that moves down one leg.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ handout on “Health: Back Pain,” low back pain affects nearly 80 percent of adults at some time in their life. The pain may come on suddenly or gradually.

Low back pain is considered acute if it lasts for less than a few weeks. Poor muscle tone in the back and abdominal region, muscle tension or spasms, back sprains, ligament or muscle tears, or joint problems are common causes. Sometimes slipped disks can irritate nerves from the spinal cord, causing pain in the buttocks or legs, or numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.