Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Popular Alternative Medicine Systems

Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,000 years. It involves stimulating points on the body by pressure or puncture. It’s a part of traditional Chinese medicine that is based on the flow of blood and life force, and involves balancing the forces in the body.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils and fragrances to treat various illnesses and conditions. It is often used as a complementary procedure for control of pain, nausea and side effects of conventional treatments.

Ayurveda is an entire medical system that has been used in India for over 5,000 years. It includes dietary suggestions, herbal remedies and the conditioning of the mind, body and spirit to prevent and treat disease.

Chiropractic is a manipulative therapy system that focuses on aligning the bodily structure to treat and restore health. It is one of the most widely accepted of all alternative health systems in the United States.

Dietary supplements include any substance taken by mouth that contains an ingredient intended to supplement the diet. Supplements may include vitamins, enzymes, herbs, amino acids, minerals, metabolites and other botanicals. While they are not regulated for efficacy or safety, they must meet specific labeling requirements.

Electromagnetic fields surround the Earth and all things on it. Some systems of alternative medicine rely on altering the electromagnetic field around the body.

Homeopathic medicine is an entire system based on the belief that ‘like cures like’. While many think that this has to do with appearance (foxglove is a heart medication because the leaves look like the heart), it actually is based on symptom. The theory behind homeopathic medicine is that minute, dilute doses of a substance can cure symptoms that larger doses would create.

Massage therapies are a diverse subset of alternative medicine. It involves the direct or indirect stimulation of muscle and connective tissue to promote relaxation and health and enhance the function of those tissues.
Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is an alternative medical system that is based on the belief that the body has its own healing power that can be supported by nutrition, lifestyle, dietary supplements, exercise, homeopathy and other treatments.

Osteopathic medicine is actually a conventional discipline that works with diseases arising from the musculoskeletal system. Some osteopathic doctors use a full-body system of hands-on manipulation similar to chiropractic to restore function and promote health.

Qi gong, pronounced ‘chee gong’, is a part of traditional Chinese medicine that emphasizes proper breathing in conjunction with movement and meditation to improve blood circulation, balance the flow of qi (life force) and enhance the immune system.

Reiki massage is part of a belief in a Universal Life Force that can be channeled through a Reiki practitioner. The basis of Reiki is healing the spirit so that the body will follow suit.

Therapeutic Touch is an alternative therapy that is based on the laying on of hands, an ancient healing technique. Healing is promoted when the body’s energies are balanced, which a practitioner of therapeutic touch achieves by passing his hands over the patient’s body.

Traditional Chinese medicine, often abbreviated as TCM, is a 2000 year old system of health care from China. It is based on balancing yin and yang (positive and negative energy) in the body. It includes nutritional therapy, herbal treatments, massage, acupuncture, physical exercise and meditation.

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