I have an extreme fear of vomiting even though I know its irrational. It got extremely worse a year and a half ago. I get extreme anxiety and panic attacks just thinking about it. I worry about it so often that I actually will create nausea, which then makes me freak out. 6 months ago I started Zoloft which helped the fear some, I'm not depressed and never have been. I've never had a bad experience when throwing up and I can count on 1 hand how many times I've thrown up in 30 years. It creates so much fear and anxiety that I can't sleep, it is worse at night (the fear is). I read online about acupuncture but want to know if anyone has used this method for a phobia and if it worked. This is taking over my life and I just want to be normal again. Any suggestions, or do you have the same fear?

I may get some laughs, but this is a serious question. I have a Bachelor's in a completely unrelated field (a social science), but I've decided I'd like to pursue some type of career in alternative medicine. I've tried to do research online, but so far it's come up pretty confusing. From what I've read, the ND program is 4 years, but there are only 4 accredited ND universities in the country (every website I check says something different in this regard), and I understand that only about 12 states honor the ND degree? Anyway, since I didn't go the pre-med route, I don't think actual medical school would be the right option for me. Does anyone know of any alternative medicine careers that aren't necessarily a doctor but are more than just a "nutrition coach" or something like that? I know alternative medicine is a very broad field - naturopathy, hollistic medicine, homeopathics, etc. I'm not interested in accupuncture or massage therapy - more the nutrition or hollistic route, but I don't want to be a dietician. Is there some type of program I could get into after having no pre-med studies under my belt that maybe works along side an ND rather than owning my own practice? I just want some type of job in the field for sure, but I want it to be a little more involved than a massage therapist or "nutrition coach." Thank you for any advice : )

Hi, I'm 18, my 35 year old mom is suffering from really severe muscle spasms. It started out this afternoon. Her lower back was in pain which is common for her because a slipped a disc about 6 years back. But when we got home she hobbled into bed and was just suffering all afternoon. We gave her 4 advil, 2 tylenol, and one of her leftover anti-inflammatory pills from the last time her lower back was causing her grief. But now the back pain is gone and her left leg is having spasms that she can't control no matter how much she flexes or stretched. It's painful for her. I helped her put on some bengay but it didnt help so I helped her into the bath and she's soaking her leg in hot water. But I'm worrie things won't get better. She doesn't want to go to the hospital because the last time she went they just gave her morphine and it made her feel 10x worse. But should I force her there anyway? I've tried massaging her leg, her foot, some basic accupuncture I read online, but they only caused temporary relief. HELP PLEASE

was hoping to get an opinion. herniated a disc 2 yrs ago. got sciatica as a result that progressively got worse to the pt where i needed surgery. have been pain free for a yr, but 2 wks ago, pulled my back again golfing. the back pain is gone, but i feel the all too familiar pinching sensation in the upper-left buttocks. no pain going down my leg yet, but this is how it started last time so would like to seek treatment as soon as possible. i tried medication, physical therapy, accupuncture & epideral injections last time to no avail so had to get surgery as a last resort. this time, i'm wondering if i should try chiropractic treatment as it was the only treatment i didn't try last time. however, i've heard mix things about it both personally & online, so if anyone can share their experience or expertise as it relates to herniated discs & sciatica, i'd appreciate it.