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Information Wellness Blog

Detailed Reviews and Guides about energy and informational health and wellness

September 15, 2026 | Editorial

How Does Intermittent Fasting Reverse Aging?

Intermittent fasting (IF) and its variants such as fasting-mimicking diets offer safe strategies to extend lifespan and healthspan by decreasing age- and disease-risk factors without severe caloric restriction. They stimulate regeneration through stem cell-sensing pathways while supporting stem cell regeneration through regeneration processes.

Time-restricted eating forces the body to focus on repair, energy use and system balance. Studies show that intermittent fasting (IF) and fasted metabolic diet (FMD) reduce biomarkers of insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress.

1. Improves Blood Circulation

Fasting can help improve circulation and lower oxidative stress levels – an often-linked contributor to premature aging and chronic diseases.

Studies suggest that prolonged treatment with IF, PF or FMD may increase neural stem cells and reduce neurodegeneration in normal mice19; the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown.

But, like with many diet and fitness trends that gain prominence, intermittent fasting comes with its share of misinformation. It is crucial that you learn about it from reliable sources to ensure you’re following an appropriate program tailored specifically to you and your specific needs. Atrius Health providers can work with you to determine whether intermittent fasting suits your lifestyle before providing safe and effective protocols such as the ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). For more details on different fasting patterns click here.

2. Reduces Inflammation

Diet and exercise trends often originate in legitimate science; however, when they reach mainstream media coverage they often exaggerate benefits while downplaying risks – the current fad for intermittent fasting being no exception.

IF, PF and FMD all show positive effects on longevity, markers of health, stress responses, inflammation levels, genomic instability and regeneration processes in simple organisms, laboratory rodents and humans1.2.1

Intermittent fasting not only promotes anti-aging benefits, but it can also reduce levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein after eating in people who already had elevated baseline levels due to intermittent fasting triggering various changes that promote healthy cells and DNA in animal studies; animal tests have even indicated it helps protect against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.

3. Decreases Blood Pressure

Even though calorie restriction offers anti-aging benefits, keeping up with its restrictive dietary demands may not be feasible for most. Intermittent fasting (IF) and periodic fasting-mimicking diets have emerged as effective longevity-promoting solutions without these difficult requirements1.

Studies of intermittent fasting (IF) and periodic fasting (PF) among both laboratory rodents and humans demonstrate that cycling between water-only or severely restricted caloric intake periods with periods of free eating results in positive changes to disease risk factors such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and genomic instability.

At BioAge Health in Eagan, Minnesota, we offer physician-supervised intermittent fasting using ProLon FMD. Prior to beginning, we will assess your health and perform an exam to make sure fasting won’t pose a danger. Get in touch with us now in Eagan, MN to set up an appointment – we look forward to helping slow down aging!

4. Decreases Risk of Cancer

Research suggests intermittent fasting may reduce your risk for cancer by improving cellular repair processes and altering which genes are expressed.

Scientists believe intermittent fasting can help protect against oxidative stress, which has been linked to various diseases including heart disease and cancer. Furthermore, fasting appears to increase production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor which promotes healthy brain functioning.

Additionally, intermittent fasting helps your body enter alternative metabolic modes that conserve energy and protect the body from disease. Animal studies have demonstrated this practice can delay and even reverse aging processes, reduce oxidative stress levels, enhance biomarkers of disease detection and extend lifespan.

5. Decreases Risk of Heart Disease

Research has demonstrated that intermittent fasting can reduce heart disease risk in rodents by improving metabolic health, increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, this practice prevents conditions like fatty liver and hepatocellular carcinoma from appearing.

However, results of human studies vary widely: some trials indicate no effect, while others show beneficial results for cardiovascular systems.

Recent research employed network meta-analysis as an effective and rigorous means of analysis. This method allows researchers to directly compare interventions that were not directly tested via randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Analysis revealed that intermittent fasting techniques were effective at lowering cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body weight, fat-free mass, waist circumference and blood pressure. Time-restricted eating proved particularly effective; though this option could benefit everyone’s cardiovascular health.

6. Decreases Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an accelerating neurodegenerative condition affecting over 6 million Americans. It’s associated with disruptions to circadian rhythms, poor sleep quality and cognitive decline due to beta amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain. Studies indicate fasting may help mitigate its development by modulating biomarkers such as glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, autophagy, gut microbiome composition and neuroinflammation – potentially decreasing symptoms like disruptions to circadian rhythms, poor sleep quality and declining cognitive function.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern in which eating occurs for only short windows of hours or days per week, typically two. 5:2 fasting can help limit calories consumed on two of those days; you consume regular amounts on all other five. Studies on animals have demonstrated its positive benefits by improving biomarkers of aging and decreasing oxidative stress levels during IF cycles.

7. Decreases Risk of Diabetes

Studies indicate intermittent fasting can reverse aging by helping prevent chronic diseases that could shorten life span. Furthermore, intermittent fasting helps people lose weight and improves overall health – something both your heart and brain will thank you for.

Intermittent fasting plans typically utilize periods of eating and fasting in alternation; such as 5:2 dieting, 16:8 dieting, or other time-restricted eating plans.

Studies conducted on lab animals and humans have demonstrated the benefits of intermittent fasting (IF), periodic fasting (PF), and plant-based fasting diets such as intermittent fasting diets (IFD) on risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides levels, and inflammatory markers – even after three monthly cycles of either intermittent fasting (IF), periodic fasting (PF), or fasting diet diet (FMD).

8. Decreases Risk of Stroke

Over time, humans experience immunosenescence – the gradual loss of immune function associated with age – and inflammaging (chronic low-grade inflammation). According to emerging research, intermittent fasting (IF) may help counter these trends, particularly among middle-aged and older adults.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has been shown to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and enhance autophagy in mice, rats and humans. One study conducted with overweight and obese people associated dawn-to-dusk IF with upregulation of autophagy genes as well as improved inflammation profiles.

Preconditioning with IF may be due to its ability to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation levels in the body, thus decreasing susceptibility to stroke. Future research should explore IF’s effect on high-risk subjects as well as its combination with other health and wellness practices to increase ischemic tolerance. Its flexible lifestyle approach makes IF an easily adoptable way of both decreasing stroke risk and speeding recovery from one.

9. Decreases Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Intermittent fasting leads to several metabolic changes, which increase insulin sensitivity and promote use of ketones as energy sources, leading to reduced oxidative stress damage and inflammation responses that pose risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies on mice have demonstrated that time-restricted feeding (TRF), an intermittent form of fasting which restricts eating windows without restricting how much is eaten daily, can reset circadian rhythms to help improve memory retention while decreasing beta-amyloid plaque build-up in the brain and protecting against vascular dysfunction – two potential risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s.

Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that periodic fasting (PF and FMD cycles alternating with normal refeeding) delays immunosenescence and inflammaging, and promotes skeletal muscle protein synthesis and immune function; however, such interventions may accelerate sarcopenia among older adults.

10. Decreases Risk of Cancer

Animal studies show that FMD cycles increase quiescent satellite cells that promote muscle growth and regeneration. These cells coexpress Pax-7 transcription factor as well as MyoD protein that promotes differentiation of muscles; additionally they show signs of improved autophagy processes.

These benefits of fasting may help increase healthspan and delay or reverse aging; however, more research in humans is still needed. At BioAge Health in Eagan and Twin Cities metro area we offer physician-supervised intermittent fasting using ProLon FMD or similar types of fasting that would make ProLon FMD unsafe for you – contact us now to book an appointment!

September 14, 2026 | Editorial

Reverse Aging Jellyfish

Marine scientists were bemused when Giorgio Bavestrello and Christian Sommer reported that Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish could escape death by returning to its juvenile polyp stage, an event known as ontogeny reversal that defied conventional dogma that life flows forward from fertilisation to death.

How They Do It

Once a mature jellyfish reaches sexual maturity, it spawns eggs and sperm that subsequently fertilize, producing planulae larvae which settle onto surfaces such as ocean floors and ship hulls to form colonies of polyps. When these colonies reach reproductive maturity they release more planulae which then form colonies of medusae that eventually grow large enough to reproduce and spawn more planulae, repeating this cycle again and again. When one of these adult medusae becomes physically damaged or stressed out it reverts back to polyp stage in order to evade death by activating genetic programs from earlier life stages; when an adult medusa becomes stressed or damaged it will reverts back to polyp stage in order to evade death by activating its genetic programs from earlier life stages through genetic programming activated through early life stages reactivated genetic programs from earlier life stages that will then resume again and repeats this cycle again until death occurs unless prevented.

This unorthodox life cycle has earned this immortal jellyfish the moniker ‘Benjamin Button jelly’; however, scientists still are unaware of how it works. A team led by marine zoologist Stefano Piraino at University of Salento set out to discover more by collecting samples from Mediterranean waters and comparing T. dohrnii genome with another jellyfish species called Turritopsis rubra that doesn’t display biological immortality.

Researchers used genome-wide transcription analysis to find that T. dohrnii cysts expressed more variants and copies of genes encoding DNA repair proteins, suggesting improved replication capabilities. They also observed that genes involved in maintaining telomeres, protective caps at chromosome ends that shorten with each cell division to cause aging and senescence, were highly active within T. dohrnii cysts; suggesting they have evolved compensatory strategies against loss during polyp reversion.

Stresses to medusae such as starvation, physical damage and changing water temperatures or salinities cause them to revert back into polyp state, turning back biochemical timers on individual cells like an anti-virus software reset button for computers. When these situations arise, researchers believe this reversion process works like a reset button on computers – changing biochemical clocks back and starting over from square one.

Why They Do It

Researchers were stunned when they witnessed a jellyfish doing what seemed impossible: reverse its own life cycle. Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish species is the only known one capable of doing this and has gained the moniker “Benjamin Button.” By doing this backwards reversal of development, it allows it to avoid both ageing and death – becoming biologically immortal.

Discovered quite by accident, marine zoologists Giorgio Bavestrello and Christian Sommer were rearing T. dohrnii polyps in a jar when they observed that when under stress they shrunk into balls of tissue called cysts. When the scientists rechecked them later, they were amazed to discover that those cysts had returned as medusae without producing gametes for reproduction.

Over two years, the team investigated what caused this strange behavior. By comparing T. dohrnii polyp genomes with those of their close relatives and discovering that polyps expressed less of the genes associated with cell differentiation and organ formation whereas medusae expressed significantly more; suggesting higher developmental potential in medusae.

Pascual-Torner and her colleagues wanted to gain a better understanding of this difference between T. dohrnii polyps and medusas by isolating cells from both stages and analyzing their gene expression profiles. Their researchers discovered that polyps had more genes associated with DNA repair and telomere maintenance compared with medusae, suggesting they might maintain genome integrity after switching life cycles to become medusas again. They were able to pinpoint several specific genes which appear to play roles in T. dohrnii’s immortality that may also exist elsewhere in other organisms.

What You Can Do About It

Scientists have spent decades studying ‘immortal jellyfish,’ or Benjamin Button jellies, which have the ability to defy mortality by returning to their baby polyp stage and thus delaying death – earning them their unique name of Benjamin Button jellies. By understanding their mysterious lifecycle, scientists hope their understanding could lead to new treatments for human aging and diseases like cancer.

Marine biologist Maria Pascual-Torner and her colleagues have conducted an in-depth genomic sequence analysis on T. dohrnii to uncover its molecular mechanisms behind its remarkable immortality. Through comparison with closely related but non-immortal Turritopsis rubra jellyfish species, their researchers discovered that T. dohrnii has more copies and variants of genes involved with cellular regeneration, cell reprogramming, and DNA repair processes compared with Turritopsis rubra species.

These genes become active when T. dohrnii is under stress, leading researchers to speculate that they play an essential role in its ability to reverse development and transdifferentiate. Furthermore, heat shock proteins – known to promote human longevity – appear more active. Data also suggests upregulation of genes involved with controlling telomeres – the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age and contribute to senescence – further suggesting T. dohrnii cysts have more active heat shock proteins.

September 14, 2026 | Editorial

Shockwave Therapy and Injuries

Shockwave therapy is an innovative non-invasive solution to various musculoskeletal ailments, stimulating your body’s natural healing processes while decreasing pain in tendons, muscles and bones.

Shockwave therapy involves applying a gel ointment to the treatment area, then touching an acoustic wave applicator onto injured tissues. Different machines provide different frequencies which affect how deeply sound waves penetrate the skin.

Lower Frequencies

Shockwave therapy (ESWT), also known as extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ECST), is an innovative noninvasive pain therapy solution suitable for many different injuries and conditions, such as sports injuries, tendonitis, arthritis and plantar fasciitis. Shockwave can also speed the healing process after an injury and help minimize scar tissue formation.

There are different forms of shockwave therapies, including radial and focused shockwave therapy. Though they vary in terms of energy delivery, all three use mechanical pressure waves to stimulate the body’s natural response to pain relief and to stimulate its own natural defense mechanisms. One major distinction among them is frequency of soundwaves used, which affects how deeply they penetrate as well as the amount of energy released into the body.

Frequency (Hz) measures how quickly shockwaves are delivered by machines to their treatment area. Higher frequencies allow practitioners to treat large areas more efficiently in clinic settings where time may be limited. However, higher frequencies don’t necessarily translate to stronger energy; indeed they may cause discomfort if too high for individual patient tolerance levels.

Not only does frequency affect its effects on tissues, but so too does type. Lower frequency shockwaves tend to have deeper penetration into bone and soft tissue compared with higher frequency ones, while energy distribution changes with frequency: lower frequencies have a broader reach whereas higher frequencies produce concentrated energies.

Shockwave therapy’s goal for any injury is to increase fluid movement within an injured area, relieving tension and pressure and speeding healing time, which in turn reduces pain and stiffness symptoms. Your provider will apply gel ointment before using a hand-held probe to deliver shockwaves directly onto painful spots with each one causing a “click” sound similar to when snapping a rubber band or hitting something hard; these sensations should dissipate after several seconds.

Higher Frequencies

When purchasing a shockwave device, two technical parameters tend to receive the most consideration: frequency (Hz) and pressure (Bar). Both parameters play an integral part in achieving successful clinical results while providing patient comfort. By understanding their interactions, practitioners, distributors, and buyers can ensure effective treatment outcomes while keeping patients satisfied with treatment results.

Increased frequency increases the pulses per minute delivered to a target area, increasing energy delivery and improving efficiency. Unfortunately, however, increased frequency doesn’t directly result in greater mechanical stimulation of tissues; its actual effect depends on both frequency and pressure factors combined together.

Pressure is measured in Bar and refers to the intensity of mechanical shock waves. As pressure increases, so too do its effects; however, an increase may also increase discomfort during treatment; therefore it is vitally important to carefully adjust and monitor this variable according to clinical case.

Both frequency and pressure settings of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) play a significant role in determining treatment results. A recent study demonstrated this with results for treating plantar fasciitis showing superior outcomes when used at 15Hz frequency with 3.0 bar density as opposed to 10Hz at 2.0 Bar density. Furthermore, using lower frequencies allows tissues to absorb more energy before receiving another pulse, leading to greater patient comfort.

Settings selection plays a pivotal role in the outcome of lithotripsy procedures. If there is insufficient attention paid to coupling the shock wave generator with skin, air pockets may form between it and patient tissue, diminishing energy transmission. Furthermore, selecting too soft a coupling medium could reduce efficiency as well.

As well as selecting the appropriate frequency and pressure settings, lithotripsy physicians must also make sure the stone is correctly positioned within the focal zone. Improper positioning may cause it to move around with every pulse, lessening effectiveness. To avoid this scenario, physicians should follow recommendations by the German Society for Shock Wave Lithotripsy as well as IEC 63045:2020 standard guidelines.

Radial

Ultrasound and shockwave therapy is an excellent way to speed up healing time after an injury and get you back to regular activities sooner. It is noninvasive, relatively painless therapy covered by most insurance plans; however it’s important to note that shockwave isn’t necessarily appropriate for all injuries; in certain instances one approach might work better or both may prove ineffective.

Pressure wave therapy requires an intricate understanding of physical and biological processes involved. Therefore, it is vital that any device approved by a medical device regulatory authority (e.g. FDA) be utilized; such devices have been shown to be safe and effective while meeting strict standards of design and application.

As regards how shockwaves are generated, there can be considerable confusion in the literature. This may be caused by different definitions within physics or simply due to differences between devices used and treatments protocols employed; ultimately leading to inconsistent evaluation of clinical outcomes and less clarity regarding important physical parameters.

Impulse measures the intensity of radial shock waves at their source and should not be taken as an accurate representation of biological response. Instead, this value serves to compare equipment between locations but should not be seen as indicative of biological responses; focus refers to an area within a body where significant biological effects of the shockwave have occurred and is determined by pressure level of its focus point (5 MPa in this instance).

For optimal results, it is vital that the radial shock waves be directed precisely toward the site of injury or dysfunction. At NYDNRehab, diagnostic ultrasound imaging is used to guide these waves during ESWT sessions so as to target them at their source rather than reflecting back onto any bone structures which could reflect back the energy back to source, thus decreasing or even eliminating therapeutic benefits.

Focused

Focused shockwave therapy (FSWT) is an innovative treatment method designed to address certain musculoskeletal conditions, such as rotator cuff tendinopathy or chronic plantar fasciitis. FSWT utilizes deep tissue sound waves which have been scientifically and clinically demonstrated to stimulate stem cells, blood flow, cellular regeneration processes and natural healing processes in the human body.

This method helps the body overcome pain and dysfunction caused by these conditions without surgery, in an outpatient setting. It has proven particularly successful for those who have not responded positively to other conservative therapies, such as exercise, physical therapy and medications.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy works through multiple pathways. It activates intrinsic physiological tissue repair mechanisms such as acoustic mechanical stimuli that modulate cellular signalling pathways and increase activity of pain-related neuropeptides while simultaneously increasing local blood flow, neovascularisation, stimulation of tenocytes, collagen synthesis and osteogenic signalling processes6.

Recent research suggests that shockwave therapy can also help decrease central sensitization of nociceptors that is likely the source of chronic pain for some patients with tendinopathy, via decreased antinociceptive control, increased nociceptive processing by the thalamus and disruption in normal inhibition of spinal cord noradrenergic responses to painful stimuli43.

Shockwave therapy has proven particularly useful for treating chronic calcific or fibrotic tendinopathy and myofascial trigger points in patients. Radial or focused shockwave therapy may be used as an additional conservative therapy alongside load management, progressive exercise therapy and active rehabilitation to treat such conditions.

At RECURIO, we use focused and radial shockwave therapy as part of a systematic treatment concept after medical indication. The choice between focused or radial shockwave therapy depends on factors like target structure depth/irritability as well as therapeutic goals for each individual case.

Shockwave therapy is safe, non-invasive, and does not produce any side effects. Your physiotherapist will discuss the best option for you during a medical consultation, using our Storz Duolith Ultra LiESWT machine at RECURIO for focused shockwave therapy sessions; its clinical efficacy in improving erectile function and hardness has been clinically verified for men suffering from vascular-driven ED. Focused shockwave therapy feels similar to flicking an elastic band; intensity can be adjusted as needed throughout each treatment session for maximum comfort during treatment sessions.

September 14, 2026 | Editorial

Testicular Torsion Medicine

Testicular torsion accounts for many scrotal complaints seen at emergency departments, with the result of the spermatic cord twisting, cutting off blood supply to the testicle (testis).

Without enough oxygen and blood supply, testicles will begin to die, leading to severe pain and swelling. Surgery must be conducted quickly in order to avoid permanent damage to this vital organ and save it for future generations.

Preventing Torsion

Testicular torsion is a serious life-threatening condition in which the cord that supplies blood to your testicles twists and cuts off blood flow, becoming trapped. It affects roughly 1 out of every 4,000 males under age 25, more commonly newborns and those going through puberty. Torsion should be addressed immediately as even without blood flow it only lasts six hours without blood and can then lead to infarcting of testicles (testicular necrosis).

When experiencing sudden, intense testicular or scrotum pain, seek medical attention immediately. You should also see a physician immediately if the discomfort comes and goes or becomes so intense that you feel like throwing up. These could all be signs of testicular torsion which requires emergency surgery for treatment.

Testicular torsion remains unexplained. Possible factors could include having a trait that allows testicles to freely rotate within the scrotum (intermittent torsion), vigorous activity, injury or sleep-related issues causing it, with it most common among newborns and boys within weeks after puberty.

Urologists can diagnose testicular torsion by conducting an exam of your scrotum or groin. A torsion occurs when one or both testicles become swollen and has lost its normal shape, which a urologist can identify using ultrasound technology. They will also use Doppler waves to analyze arterial and venous blood flow; arterial flow appears as peaks on Doppler waves while venous blood flows manifest themselves as plateaus on Doppler waves.

If a testicular torsion is detected, surgery will likely be required to untwist and restore blood flow to both testicles. Stitching will likely also be applied on either testicle to help keep it from twisting again; otherwise removal and stitching would take place – potentially even for both. Newborns experiencing scrotal swelling should see their pediatricians or go directly to an emergency room as attempts at self-unwinding could compound the issue and potentially lead to irreparable damage.

Diagnosing Torsion

Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency that most often affects young patients, often necessitating immediate surgery. Early diagnosis is key. Triage nurses should be cognizant of the classic symptoms for this disorder; if present, patients must be admitted quickly to an ED and an Urologist evaluated with side-by-side ultrasound and Doppler flow as these tools provide accurate measurements to diagnose torsion.

Torsion patients usually report sudden, severe pain in one testicle that extends into their abdomen. Sometimes this pain may become swollen and erythematous with no cremasteric reflex reactivity; additionaly, they may present with a scrotal mass or in some instances directly report trauma or injury of one testicle or the spermatic cord; symptoms are typically more acute than other scrotal conditions like epididymitis or hematomas.

Newborns with torsion may only rarely be saved, as the second testicle almost always is dead. A urologist must perform surgery within six hours of first showing symptoms in order to prevent permanent damage; making a small incision in either the scrotum or groin before performing the necessary untwisting and stitching operations to secure blood flow before stitching it back on an inner wall of the scrotum to keep it from twisting again.

Spermatic cords extend from each testicle to the penis and connect with the vas deferens, which transports sperm into the urethra. If one becomes twisted, it cuts off blood supply to that testicle, often resulting in permanent damage and male infertility; an uncompensated testicular torsion usually lasts no more than six hours without blood supply, leaving men vulnerable. Therefore it is crucial for men to recognize symptoms and do a regular self-check while family education regarding symptoms and risks related to testicular torsion as soon as possible.

Surgical Treatment

Testicular torsion requires immediate surgery in most cases in order to relieve pain and swelling and avoid loss. Surgical intervention usually occurs within 4 hours after symptoms first arise in order to save a testicle from losing blood flow and dying off completely.

Testicular torsion symptoms tend to appear suddenly and intensely, lasting more than several minutes and worsening over time. They include:

The spermatic cord, which supplies blood to the testicle from the abdomen, may twist and cut off circulation to it resulting in painful and swollen testicles for about one out of every 4,000 males under age 25. Torsion usually affects either testicle, although more frequently left ones. Less than 2% of testicular torsions involve both testicles at once (bilateral testicular torsion).

Immediate treatment of testicular torsion can increase its chance of survival and restore blood flow to damaged testicles. Surgery may be performed to untwist the spermatic cord and restore circulation back into damaged testicles; orchiopexy can also be performed or even surgery (orchiectomy) may be undertaken depending on its severity.

Individuals may try detorsion themselves, but this should not be attempted as it can have serious repercussions. Instead, seek medical assistance or visit the emergency room immediately – particularly if your TWIST score is high.

Emergency department ultrasound can aid in the diagnosis of torsion by comparing a painful testicle with its non-painful counterpart. A painful testicle tends to be larger and hypoechoic with reduced blood flow on ultrasound; its Doppler waveform may display large spikes on its arterial phase and an offset slope on its venous phase, indicative of torsion.

September 14, 2026 | Editorial

Therapy Energy Healing for Mental Health in Recovery

Therapy energy healing promotes mental health recovery by strengthening the mind-body connection. Through complementary practices such as acupuncture or meditation, energy healing therapy can ease anxiety and depression while providing healthy coping mechanisms.

While further studies are necessary, most energy healing modalities appear safe for most individuals. Before adding them to your recovery toolbox, discuss them with both your doctor and practitioner first.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the world’s best-studied energy healing modalities, in which practitioners insert thin needles into the skin and manipulate them using heat, electricity or pressure to unblock energy and improve health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), energy runs along pathways called meridians throughout our bodies and when these channels become blocked pain and illness can ensue; an acupuncturist using TCM would target specific channels known as acupoints to unblock energy and support natural healing capabilities of our bodies.

Acupoints serve as mini-maps of your entire body, mapping organ systems and muscular-skeletal systems. Stimulating these points through various techniques – acupuncture, cupping massage lasers or electric stimulation- offered at PALM Health- can release any blockage of energy and encourage the flow of healing energy; helping relieve digestive ailments like gastritis hyperacidity respiratory disorders sinusitis asthma muscle tension headaches arthritic pain fibromyalgia anxiety depression etc.

Though most patients will experience no complications from treatment, some may experience minor side effects like needle irritation or pain from manipulation. As is standard practice for any treatment session, single-use disposable needles should be used with alcohol as disinfectant to reduce infection risks before each treatment session begins.

Energy healing practitioners may offer more than acupuncture; AcuGraph assessments offer insight into your body’s energy levels and may reveal where any pain or symptoms could be coming from in your body. Acupuncturists are licensed healthcare professionals with master’s or higher degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); additionally they often possess additional training in other Asian energy healing modalities like Reiki and Qigong.

Reiki

Reiki practitioners use hand positions to promote holistic healing on all levels – physical, emotional and spiritual. Reiki therapy provides a relaxing and comforting technique which reduces stress levels to help improve sleep quality.

Reiki differs from many energy therapies by not encouraging your body to heal itself but instead balances subtle energy fields called biofields. Furthermore, no belief system is needed – your therapist simply scans your body with their hands identifying any areas where energy seems obstructed before clearing them with hands-on treatment.

Reiki, like acupuncture and cupping, works to unblock the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”) energy medicine that regulates spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing. Reiki promotes relaxation while linking people with their natural healing energy source.

Reiki sessions typically last 20 minutes, and participants remain fully clothed while their practitioner gently places his or her hands on or above certain energy locations of your body. You may feel heat or tingling as energy moves through you; emotions such as joy or happiness may arise during this session.

Combining energy healing techniques such as Reiki and Quantum Healing Hypnosis with proven medical treatments can be invaluable in aiding recovery. At Roswell Park, we are pleased to offer integrated therapies like these in a comfortable and supportive environment; licensed providers can seamlessly incorporate them into care plans as needed. Reach out today for more information regarding this and other services we offer!

Qigong

Qigong is an ancient mind-body wellness technique. It involves physical movement, breathing techniques and meditation to promote overall health by increasing energy flow (known as “qi”) through physical movement and breathing techniques. Qigong may stimulate this flow to promote improved overall health benefits for those suffering from stress-related ailments such as back pain or arthritis; additionally it may strengthen bones while improving balance and immunity.

Researchers are increasingly acknowledging the significance of Tai Chi and qigong practices and investigating their efficacy in improving various health outcomes. It’s essential to note that both practices share similar core principles – like uniting body, breath and mind as foundational elements in their philosophy and practices – making further study difficult without treating them separately as TCM-based wellness interventions.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of Qigong for improving balance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance as well as stress and anxiety reduction. It can even aid with digestive issues such as stomach ulcers and gastritis; additionally it creates stronger connections within communities as well as greater body confidence and an increase in attention span.

Recent research by researchers examined the effect of medical qigong on quality of life among cancer survivors. Results indicated that patients who participated twice weekly for 10 weeks experienced less fatigue and depression compared to nonparticipants as well as reduced cortisol levels.

Qigong involves slow, subtle movements combined with deep breathing to activate the 12 meridians that carry energy through our bodies, each associated with organs or emotions that impact mood and wellbeing.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an ancient healing art based on the belief that there are energy zones in both your feet and hands, each associated with specific organs or body parts. Congestion or tension in any of these reflex areas of your foot mirror similar conditions in the body, so massaging these zones is thought to help keep energy flowing freely through them.

Reflexology can also provide pain relief and reduce stress and anxiety, possibly by stimulating the nervous system. Furthermore, reflexology promotes relaxation and increases immunity.

Ear reflexology, a lesser-known but effective form of reflexology, involves pressing and stimulating points on the outer ear to treat problems like vertigo, migraines and ear infections. A trained practitioner can use this approach to help their clients.

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an energy healing therapy that uses noninvasive energy healing techniques to benefit both body and mind. Also referred to as “laying-on-of-hands,” sessions typically consist of scanning patients using palms of both hands at 2-6 inches distance from them body, clearing areas where energy congested; each session typically lasts 30- 60 minutes.

Meditation

Meditation is one of the oldest energy healing techniques, an ancient holistic practice in which you focus your mind on a particular object or phrase to bring balance and tranquility. Meditation involves breathing deeply through the diaphragm while repeating words or sounds to help focus. According to research, meditation can relieve stress while improving sleep quality, mood states and mental wellbeing – not to mention increase brain size/gray matter/intelligence/creativity levels as well as lower blood pressure/heart rate as well as reduce plaque build-up in coronary arteries.

Energy healing therapies rely on invisible life force energy known as qi or prana in Chinese medicine or prana in Indian traditions to manipulate your biofield to heal physical and emotional discomfort, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. They often involve gentle touch or no touch interventions that rely on our bodies’ natural energy systems as sources.

Many find energy healing relaxing and invigorating; yet “it is important not to expect miracles from it,” according to Allen-Duenas who teaches reiki and other energy healing modalities. Energy flows more smoothly when you are relaxed.

Therapeutic Touch is another non-touch energy healing method designed to lower stress and anxiety levels – commonly seen during addiction recovery. The practice involves hovering your hands just above the body – ideal for people who don’t respond well to physical touch such as early addiction treatment patients. Research shows that Reiki and other forms of energy healing may help patients manage fatigue, depression, anxiety and improve quality of life.

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