Alternative and complementary therapies proven effective for thousands of years. We tend to forget that the best healing of the human body can be achieved through diet, or even through the human body's own self-healing mechanism. How? With the help of energies, herbal supplements and others. Most of these healing techniques are thousands of years older than conventional medicines. They have a particular effect on the body's internal balance.
In the last two decades there has been a renewed interest in holistic and natural healing and thus various alternative and complementary healing therapies have been re-accepted and are becoming popular both in India and around the world.
Integrative medicine can help people with cancer, chronic stress, persistent pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and many other conditions to better manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life by reducing fatigue, pain and anxiety.
For those who rightly get lost in the plethora of terms being bandied about lately, complementary and alternative medicine is the most common name for various health care practices that have not traditionally been part of conventional medicine.
In very many cases, as a practice of maximum effectiveness and safety these alternative and complementary therapies are combined with conventional medicine. Increasingly in recent years the term alternative has been abandoned and replaced by newer terms such as complementary and integrative medicine, integrative medicine and health, or just integrative medicine.
One of the most popular alternative healing therapies is acupuncture. The healing technique originated in ancient China and has been practiced for thousands of years. Therapists specializing in acupuncture rightly believe that illness and disease are caused by imbalances in universal energies.
In our body there are invisible pathways through which the Ying and Yang energies run. These two opposing forces constantly merge harmoniously, but can for various reasons also become unbalanced. The body's energy network has specific acupuncture points, which are linked to different organs or body functions. In this therapy needles are used that are inserted into the subcutaneous connective tissue at very specific points, which in turn help to balance, slow down or stimulate certain energies and thus provide healing.
Like acupuncture, acupressure works on the principle of different specific points, which are the energy centers of the human body. Stimulation of these points helps to correct imbalances in the flow of life energy and thus provides healing. In acupressure the correct amount of pressure is applied to these vital points in the human body using hands, elbows or specific devices to release blockages and provide healing.
Ayurveda is an ancient healing practice that originated in India. The word Ayurveda is composed of two words Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is a natural healing technique that establishes balance in the body by balancing the three fundamental life forces in our bodies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with nature and harness the self-healing power of the human body. In addition to herbal remedies Ayurveda also uses techniques such as meditation, breathing and Yoga.
Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy that uses the aroma of essential oils to improve health, vitality and emotional well-being. Although aromatherapy is mentioned in both ancient Indian and Chinese healing techniques, but the discovery of modern day aromatherapy is attributed to French pharmacist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Aromatherapy essential oils can be found in ointments, infusions or external lotions, creams etc. They can also be used internally; in which they can be mixed with food and consumed.
Reiki is an energy healing process that originated in Tibet and Japan. The word Reiki means Universal Life Energy. Reiki was rediscovered in Japan in the 19th century by Dr. Mikao Usui of Kyoto, Japan, who called it Rei-Ki. Reiki is very simple; it works by laying hands on different parts of the body, the energy centers, thus giving vital energy to all organs. During Reiki sessions, the practitioner does not use his or her own energy, but serves as a channel and directs the universal energy to the receiver using his or her hands. Reiki provides healing by bringing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual harmony and balance in the body.
Homeopathy originated in Germany in the 18th century. It is one of the most popular and accepted types of alternative medicine. Homeopathy is based on the philosophy that both the cure and the disease come from the same situation. The substance, which causes an illness in large doses, gives a medicinal effect when used in very small doses. Thus symptoms similar to that of the disease are created to cure the disease. Homeopathy also uses herbs and natural medicines.
Naturopathy as the name suggests is an alternative healing therapy in which only natural methods are used to aid the human body's self-healing ability. Healing therapies, such as phytotherapy, chromotherapyozone therapy, ozone therapy, reflexology massage and others can be categorized under naturopathy.
Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific areas on the feet, hands or ears. The theory is that these points correspond to different organs and systems of the body. Pressing them is thought to positively affect these organs and a person's overall health.
People around the world are using this therapy to complement conventional treatments for a range of conditions, including anxiety, cancer, diabetes, kidney function, and astm.
Some studies have found that reflexology can improve depression and anxiety, may help patients with cardiovascular disease, reduce nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy, and reduce stress in general.
Work chiropractic is widely accepted in the medical community, and thus qualifies more as a "complementary" rather than alternative medicine. The practice focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous system, treating problems in the back, neck, joints, arms, legs and head.
The most common procedure performed by chiropractors is spinal manipulation, aka an "adjustment," which involves applying controlled force (usually the chiropractor's hands) to joints that have become hypomobile.
The idea is that common, habitual movement becomes restricted when the surrounding tissues are injured either during a single event, or by straining a muscle during a weight-lifting session or repetitive stress, or by poor posture over long periods of time.
Chiropractic adjustments are meant to restore mobility and loosen muscles, allowing tissues to heal and pain to resolve. Research studies generally affirm its effectiveness suggesting that it can improve various problems such as cervical spine pain or lower back pain.
Chiropractic adjustments are meant to restore mobility and loosen muscles, allowing tissues to heal and pain to resolve. Scientific studies generally affirm its effectiveness suggesting that it can improve various problems such as cervical spine pain or lower back pain.
These alternative therapies can be used with great success for prevention and have sensational results in the early stages of disease. Thousands of years ago, people were much closer to nature, much more attuned to their body's signals and acted much more quickly when they sensed an imbalance. Today, unfortunately, we rarely focus on prevention and just as rarely do we catch a disease at an early stage.
For more advanced stages of the disease, these complementary and alternative therapies promoted in integrative medicine, although they give excellent results, are not absolute substitutes for conventional medical care. For proper and complete healing they must be used in conjunction with standard medical treatment.
Love,
Larisa Marinica
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Spa, Yoga & Wellness Specialist
