An Overview of Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese massage based alternative medicine practice. It involves the application of pressure to the body of the patient using fingers, thumbs and palms. Similar to other therapies that use bodily manipulation, the purpose of massage in shiatsu is to stimulate the body by freeing blockages that prevent the qi from reaching affected areas.

Shiatsu combines the same knowledge used in acupuncture and other pressure based traditions with Western knowledge of physiology and anatomy in a non-invasive therapy that helps improve organ function and promotes physical well-being. It is a government regulated therapy that is part of the Japanese national health care system and has been since 1964. It is becoming more widely used in the United States as a treatment for:

Evidence for:
There has been research done on shiatsu and other pressure based body-massage therapies that suggests the following uses:

o Nausea, motion sickness
o Effective in controlling post-op nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness
Sleep
o Positive results in improving sleep quality in elderly and health adult patients
o Low back pain
o Relieves low back pain in several studies
o Postoperative pain
o Relieves post-operative pain nearly as effectively as intravenous pain medication
o Headache
o Self-administered acupressure may relieve or prevent migrains
o Bedwetting (in children)
o Parent administered micro massage at particular acupressure points showed to be effective in preventing bedwetting
o Weight loss, obesity
o May aid in weight loss
o Menstrual pain
o May reduce menstrual pain

Other preliminary research indicates that shiatsu may be beneficial in:

o Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
o Facial spasm
o Palliative care in progressive diseases
o Anxiety
o High blood pressure
o Depression
o Labor pain
o Asthma (quality of life)
o Sleep apnea
o Drug addiction

Criticisms
Vigorous shiatsu massage may cause some injuries, including nerve damage, bruising, and other adverse effects. Shiatsu may not be a suitable treatment for all people, and like most other alternative therapies, critics point out that despite the amount of research with positive results, much of it is in poorly designed studies that render the results less persuasive.

Conclusion
Shiatsu and other pressure based massage therapies offer promising relief for many medical conditions, particularly those related to stress. They seem to be most effective in controlling and/or reducing pain, and promoting well-being and health.

An Overview of Reflexology

Summary
Reflexology is an alternative therapy that involves stimulating pressure points on the hands, feet and ears in order to effect changes on other parts of the body and will improve overall health. The most common type of reflexology is foot reflexology, which focuses on stimulating and massaging reflex zones on the feet that are believed to be connected to other zones on the body. It is a hands-on therapy that involves body manipulation and massage.

Like many other alternative therapies, practitioners believe that there is a vital life force that circulates throughout the body and that many illnesses are the result of a blockage that prevents that life energy from reaching the organs affected. Reflexologists stimulate pressure points on the feet, hands or ears that are said to be ‘centers’ for circulation, releasing the blockage and allowing the body to heal itself.

Reflexology may have been practiced as far back as Egyptian times, but its history in modern times dates to 1913 when Dr. William Fitzgerald divided the body into ten parts, each ending in the fingers and toes. His belief was that putting pressure on those areas on the fingers or hands could affect anything within the zone to which it belonged. IN the 1930s, Reflexologists study the areas of the body that are affected by each reflex area on the hands and feet, and treat illness by using the fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to those areas, similar to acupressure.

The Evidence For:
There have been few formal studies of reflexology despite its worldwide popularity. In many areas of the world, it is practiced simply as ‘foot massage’. Users of reflexology report feelings of well-being and improvements in a wide variety of ailments and conditions, though there is little to support their reports.

Practitioners of reflexology are quick to point out that the purpose of reflexology is not to treat or cure any disease or condition. Instead the intent is relaxation and promotion of a positive flow of energy to all organs in the body. By releasing tension and relieving the tension in those areas, reflexologists believe that therapy improves circulation of blood, lymph drainage and immune system function. They also contend that as an all natural non-invasive therapy, reflexology has no associated risks, and the side effects are minor and short-term.

The Criticisms
There are no scientific studies that prove the efficacy of reflexology as a medical treatment. There is no proof that there is any link or connection between the areas of the feet and hands stimulated in reflexology and other areas of the body. All reported benefits are based on anecdotal evidence which is subjective.

There is a fear that those who turn to alternative medical therapies like reflexology will delay or avoid medical treatment for real physical problems because of a sense of complacency and the general feeling of well-being that the therapy can promote. They point out that those feelings may be nothing more than the relaxation induced by a good physical massage.

An Overview of Nutritional Supplementation

Summary
The use of nutritional supplements is possibly the single most commonly used form of alternative medicine in the United States, with most of the population having at least taken vitamins at some point in their lives. Those who support the use of nutritional supplements point out that the body needs a balance of particular nutrients in order to function properly. Because of diet, lifestyle and changes to the environment, few people get all the nutrients that they need in proper balance, making nutritional supplements a vital part of maintaining health.

Nutritional supplementation is often integrated into conventional medical treatment for some conditions. Pregnant women, for instance, are prescribed supplements with vitamin B and folates to help prevent neural tube defects in their unborn children. In many conditions where one of they symptoms is a deficiency of a particular nutrient, treatment includes supplementation with that nutrient. Many practitioners, however, believe that all people need to take nutritional supplements for optimum health. They maintain that it is impossible to consume a diet that provides all the necessary nutrients because of soil depletion, pollution, environmental contaminants and modern processing methods.

In addition, there are many claims made for super supplementation as treatment for some illnesses. These include recommendations of megadoses of antioxidant vitamins and minerals for prevention of cancer, treatment of diabetes or asthma or other chronic conditions.

The Evidence For
There is a great deal of evidence to support the theory that nutrition plays a significant role in health, and throughout the course of history, many diseases have been discovered to be caused by nutritional deficiencies. Classic examples of this are scurvy and rickets, both diseases that were found to be the symptoms of deficiencies of important vitamins. More recently, researchers have found that patients exhibiting symptoms of depression benefit from taking fish oil supplements which increase their intake of omega 3 fatty acids, and from vitamin B supplements, often without any other drugs prescribed. Calcium has been found to prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases, and potassium supplements are helpful for those with heart conditions.

None of this should come as a surprise. Our bodies depend on our intake of nutrients to create new cells and repair old ones. When we don’t provide enough of a needed nutrient, the result is substandard functioning. Nutritionists suggest that many of the diseases that are on the U.S. top killers list are simply the result of poor nutrition.

The Criticism
Criticism for nutritional therapies takes one of two tacks – either the nutritional supplements are not needed, or are ineffective, or nutritional supplements are unsafe because they are untested and unregulated.
In an area as wide as this one, there is some truth to both criticisms. Unscrupulous advertisers make wild claims for some nutritional supplements with an eye on the consumer’s wallet rather than his health chart. Since nutritional supplements are considered to be ‘food’ rather than medicine, there is little oversight or testing required unless a product proves to be unsafe AFTER it is released.

For this reason, it’s important that consumers do their research. Some nutritional supplements have a great deal of research to support their effectiveness. Others show no positive results at all. Likewise, some manufacturers scrupulously follow their own testing and packaging procedures to ensure that their product is effective, safe and uncontaminated. It’s only by doing your own research that you’ll know which is which.

In addition, since many nutritional supplements can interfere with medications and treatments for illnesses and infections, it’s very important to discuss everything that you’re taking with your doctor.

An Overview of Meditation Techniques

Summary
Meditation is a CAM technique that is based on linking the body and mind through a series of exercises of both. There are many different kinds of meditation, and most are based in ancient traditions and religions. Meditation usually involves focusing the attention by use of a word, gesture, posture, breath or other device, and using that focus to help the body relax and open to suggestion.

Meditation is sometimes prescribed or suggested by conventional doctors as a method to aid relaxation, or focus concentration on feelings of well-being. It is widely seen as an excellent practice to improve mood in those dealing with chronic illness. In addition, specific types of meditation may be useful in actual treatment – those that emphasize breathing patterns, for instance, have been helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks in some patients.

The Theory
By learning to focus the mind and slow the stream of thoughts that normally distract it, meditation is believed to help a person achieve physical relaxation, mental calmness and acuity and psychological balance. It can help a person change how he relates to the flow of emotions, and learn to control them, as well as some automatic responses to emotions and stimuli.

Meditation is a practice in its own right, as part of a lifestyle, and is sometimes used as a component of other alternative therapies such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong. When practiced for medical reasons, it is a mind-body medicine focusing on the interaction among the brain, the body, the mind and behavior. It affects the ways in which emotional, spiritual and other factors can directly affect health and illness. Among the health problems that meditation may be useful for are:

o Anxiety
o Depression
o Pain control
o Mood and self esteem concerns
o Stress relief
o Insomnia

Physical or emotional symptoms related to chronic illnesses such as:

o Heart disease
o Hypertension
o HIV/AIDS
o Cancer
o Asthma
o Overall wellness

Nearly 8 percent of all Americans surveyed in 2004 had used meditation specifically for medical purposes in the previous year. The most well-known form of meditation is Transcendental Meditation, but there are many other forms.

The Evidence For
Meditation has been shown to affect the way some autonomic systems of the body work, including breathing, heart rate, sweating and digestion. Scientists believe that it may do so by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system. There is some evidence that the long-term, habitual practice of meditation may make significant changes in the way that the brain functions. This may account for the beneficial effects of meditation.

The Criticisms
While meditation is considered generally safe, there is some evidence that intensive meditation could worsen symptoms in people with some psychiatric conditions. There is also concern that those using meditation to control symptoms of an underlying disease may delay seeing a conventional doctor for treatment.

An Overview of Massage Therapies

Massage and manipulative therapies are one of the major areas of alternative and complementary medicine (CAM). There are a number of different disciplines, each of them with their own philosophy and practices. Most have been shown to have some positive effects in pain control, relaxation, mood control and general well-being. Specific massage therapies have also shown benefits that may be related to the relief of stress, or may be due to an unknown factor affected by the massage. In most of these therapies, the unknown factor is some form of ‘life force’ which the therapy frees from a blockage.

Below is a list of some of the most popular of the massage therapies, along with any important or unique features of each.

Chiropractics
The most well-known and accepted of the manipulative therapies, chiropractic has nearly become a mainstream therapy for the relief of pain, particularly with conditions related to the spine. Chiropractors work with far more than just back pain, and there is evidence to support the use of chiropractic for a diverse number of conditions.

Reiki
Pronounced ray-kay, Reiki is a Japanese massage therapy that incorporates elements from many other alternative healing practices. It is based on the existence of a universal life energy that is transferred from healer to patient during massage and manipulation. Reiki is a holistic system of healing that incorporates massage as only one element, but it’s the element that is most well-known. Like therapeutic touch and other hands on therapies, Reiki claims to balance the flow of life force and energies in the body, and treat mind, body and spirit at once.

Ayurvedic Massage
As with other Oriental systems, the Indian Ayurvedic medicine puts emphasis on massage as a therapeutic technique. In Ayurveda, the emphasis is on opening channels to allow the flow of energy and life force throughout the body.

Aromatherapy Massage
Combining the principles of treatment with essential oils and the techniques of massage, aromatherapy massage is often used as an adjunct to conventional medical treatment. Depending on the oils and techniques used, the massage can be relaxing, soothing, invigorating or energizing.

Reflexology
A Western massage therapy that seems to borrow from Eastern beliefs and techniques, reflexology is based on the manipulation of areas of the feet, hands and ears to effect therapeutic changes elsewhere in the body.

Sports Massage
A distinct field of massage that is aimed at improving sports performance and preventing injury, sports massage is practiced in locker rooms and hospitals.

Shiatsu
A Japanese massage therapy that uses pressure points similar to acupressure massage to assist the flow of qi and promote healing in the body.

Massage therapy is being used in some novel ways throughout the country. Besides being used as treatment for muscle and back pain, to promote relaxation and healing, there are some companies that offer massage as a work-related benefit, and believe that it prevents workplace accidents and injuries through stress relief.

An Overview of Iridology

Iridology is an alternative medical discipline which involves the diagnosis of disease by studying the iris of the eye. According to iridologists, the areas of the eye correspond to bodily systems and areas of the body. Changes in the iris, they say, can reflect problems in that area of the body.

Iridology is not a method of treatment, nor is it specifically diagnostic. According to those who study iridology, markings, patterns and abnormalities in the iris can highlight a tendency toward problems with a particular organ group or system, allowing them to prescribe treatments. Many practitioners of iridology use it in conjunction with a system of medicine such as reflexology or homeopathy.

Iridology may date back to the mid-1600s, though the word was not used in the description of eye changes that might signal specific health problems. In more recent years, iridologists examine the iris of the eye with a flashlight, slit-eye microscope or other method, and compare what they see with iris charts that divide the eye into as many as 80 or 90 ‘zones’, each zone corresponding to an area of the body.

The Evidence for:
There is no support for the claims of iridologists in medical research. Practitioners of iridology make the points that:

- Iridology is completely non-invasive. The only discomfort to the patient is the shining of a light into their eyes.
- The aim of iridology is to keep a person healthy by spotting early signs of possible problems and prescribing holistic and natural treatments to prevent them from developing into more serious problems.

The Criticisms
Not a single study into iridology and its results have shown any positive results. In most, iridologists made diagnosis that were on the level of guessing or chance. Iridologists contend that a) Iridology is not meant to diagnose specific conditions, and b) most research has involved examinations of photographs of eyes, and iridology is meant to be used with living flesh.

In addition, critics fear that iridology could:

- Lead to wrong diagnoses, with the effect of either frightening a patient, or lulling him into a false sense of security, or suggest an unnecessary and possibly harmful treatment.
- May delay the patient seeking treatment for real medical problems which delays treatment.
- Is a waste of time and money for the patient.
- Iridology is not licensed or regulated and anyone may practice it, leading to the possibility of fraud and incompetent medical practice.

The Conclusion
There is no medical or scientific proof to support claims by iridologists that they can diagnose disease and potential ill health by studying the iris of the eye. Proper medical treatment and care is an important part of overall health. If your practitioner relies on iridology for diagnosis, ask what other diagnostic criteria he considers important as well.

An Overview of Hypnosis

Summary
Hypnosis is an alternative medicine treatment that is often used as an adjunct or complement to other more conventional treatments. According to supporters of hypnosis as an alternative medical treatment, hypnosis can help a patient enlist the power of the subconscious to treat physical problems and assist in therapy for various ailments. It is also used frequently in helping patients to control anxiety, pain and addictions.

Hypnosis is often seen as a parlor trick, but medical practitioners take its power seriously. The use of relaxation and post-hypnotic suggestion may help people to overcome cravings that sabotage diets and attempts to live a healthier lifestyle, control pain and nausea that accompany chemotherapy and surgery, and control asthma and other involuntary bodily responses.

The Evidence For
The use of hypnosis has been widely studied since the 1970s, and while the results of various studies have been varied, there is some evidence to support that hypnosis has:

- Reduced induced pain in an experimental group
- Reduced anxiety in people undergoing chemotherapy
- Increased receptivity to positive stimulus
- Relieved stress and tension related headaches
- Reduced cravings for drugs, nicotine, caffeine and food
- Aided weight loss attempts
- Relieved anxiety and depression
- Helped people in adopting new, healthy behaviors
- Increased positive self image
- Improved performance in sports and career activities

Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry at Stanford University explained in a recent Newsweek article that hypnosis is “…a way of enhancing people’s control, of teaching them how to control of their body’s function and sensation that they thought they couldn’t.” This is perhaps one of the best explanations of hypnosis anywhere, and it’s borne out by such things as MRI brain scans that show people actually controlling their brain waves.

The Method
Despite popular cartoons and movies featuring the line ‘Look into my eyes…’, scientists have discovered that the true power to hypnotize lies more in the voice. Hypnotists use a combination of guided imagery and positive affirmations to help patients achieve lasting change.

The Criticism
Critics point out that much of the research on hypnosis as a medical tool is inconclusive, and that many of the results are not replicable in further studies. Hypnotists respond that every patient reacts differently, and it is difficult to measure any standardized approach and make it conform in every situation.

Conclusion
The bottom line is that there are avid supporters of hypnotism as therapy and as a medical tool to complement other conventional treatments. There may be those who are ‘resistant’ to suggestion with whom hypnosis will not work, but according to hypnotherapists, it’s rare for a person to be completely resistant to hypnosis. Results do vary according to a patient’s motivation, though.

An Overview of Homeopathy

Summary
Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine that was developed in Germany and has been practiced since the early 1800s. It is based on the belief that every person has a vital force that can be disrupted or thrown out of balance, and when it is, the result is disease. Homeopathic treatment is aimed at stimulating that vital force in order to restore balance and health.

Among the controversial claims in homeopathy is the concept that ‘like cures like’. Based on this theory, one would treat fever by giving a small dose of a substance known to cause fever, or heart palpitations by giving a small, diluted dose of a substance known to cause heart palpitations in larger doses. One way to view this theory is that the symptoms of illness result from the body’s attempts to heal itself – a cough is the body’s attempt to rid itself of germs and impurities in the lungs and respiratory tract, for instance – so giving a substance that would produce a cough in a healthy person helps the body to stimulate its own healing mechanism.

Homeopathy is a holistic alternative medical discipline, in that it takes into account the whole body and not just the symptoms of a disease. It makes use of herbal and traditional remedies in dealing with illness, but the intent is not to eradicate the illness, but to stimulate the body’s own immune system to deal with it.

Homeopathic remedies are made by diluting natural substances that come from plants, animals and minerals in a series of prescribed steps. These remedies are regulated in the same manner as non-prescription, over the counter drugs. However, homeopathic remedies are treated as more akin to nutritional supplements, and need not undergo the testing that new over the counter pharmaceutical drugs must.

The Evidence For
While there have been some studies and reviews of studies that find some benefits to homeopathy, most medical experts agree that the research that has been conducted does not meet the standards for scientific proof. In many studies, homeopathic remedies were no more effective than a placebo.

The Criticisms
There have been some reports of illnesses associated with the use of homeopathic remedies, but FDA reviews determined that the remedies were not likely to be the cause of the illnesses. There are, however some risks associated with homeopathic remedies:

· Patients may feel worse for a time after beginning to take a homeopathic remedy. This is seen by homeopaths as a normal response by the body as it attempts to restore health.
· Liquid remedies contain higher levels of alcohol than is permitted for conventional drugs.
· The minute amounts of an active ingredients that are contained in many homeopathic medicines raise the question of how there could be any effect, helpful or otherwise, in taking them.
· Reviews and research of the effects of substances in ultra high dilutions have not shown any beneficial effects.
· In short, there is little evidence that homeopathy works at all, nor any explanations for why or how it might work.

An Overview of Holistic Medicine

Summary
Holistic medicine is a system of health care that emphasizes the whole person, not just the disease. It is based on the belief that the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of health are of equal importance to a person’s well-being. Holistic medicine looks at all options for treatment of a condition, including natural, herbal, conventional, physical, mental and emotional to choose a treatment plan that treats the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disease.

Holistic medicine is more a philosophy of well-being and health than it is a method or collection of techniques. A practitioner of holistic health may recommend or use any of a wide variety of alternative and conventional methods in treatment. Those may include herbal and natural healing, massage therapy, counseling and support groups, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, diet and nutritional supplements and conventional drug therapy and surgery.

It has become more common for health care services to support a holistic approach to health, at least in so far as supporting wellness programs that emphasize all aspects of a person’s health. Many health care plans now include coverage for gym and health club memberships, support groups for weight loss and smoking cessation and for people dealing with particular conditions, educational outreach, nutritional counseling and referrals to some alternative practitioners.

Holistic medicine may refer to one of a number of different alternative therapies that share the belief that medical treatment must take the entire lifestyle and life of a person into account when prescribing treatment, not just the symptoms of a disease. These include homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

The Evidence for Holistic Medicine
Since holistic medicine refers to a philosophy of health that includes many different disciplines, it’s difficult to define specific research or studies that support the use of holistic medicine overall. In general, however, most conventional practitioners agree that disease is often a function of more than just the symptoms or the pathology, and that it is better to treat the person than to treat the illness. Consequently, they will prescribe treatments that include meditation, yoga, martial arts practice for exercise, dietary and lifestyle changes and support groups to help a patient achieve a more balanced lifestyle.

Criticism of Holistic Medicine
Most criticisms of the holistic model of medicine are aimed at particular branches of holistic medicine or theories. There are criticisms, for example, that hypnotism has not been proven to aid in pain reduction, though many doctors and dentists routinely offer it as an option for patients with great success. There are also criticisms leveled at the various types of holistic medicine like homeopathy or naturopathy that focus on the dangers or risks associated with those particular branches. The strongest criticism of holistic methods of healing are that a great deal of the methods used are unproven, and may be a waste of time and money in treating illness.

An Overview of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine is both a study of its own and a component of many alternative and complementary medical therapies. It advocates the use of natural herbs and substances in the treatment of disease and the promotion of health. The systems of traditional medicines in many countries are tied to treatment of many conditions with various herbs and combinations of herbs.

Herbal medicine, based on the use of plants and plant extracts for medical reasons, is possibly one of the oldest of all medical disciplines. There is evidence that plants were used medicinally as much as 60,000 years ago. There is also a great deal of evidence that many herbal remedies are effective at treating the diseases for which they are prescribed. In fact, many of today’s drugs and over the counter medications are plant-based.

Herbal medicine is a major component of several alternative medical systems, including traditional Western folk medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Herbs may be used fresh, dried, powdered or crushed. They may be used in extracts, teas, tinctures or as poultices or compresses. Included in overviews of herbal medicine is the appropriate spicing of foods and beverages, the use of herbal teas to treat disease and promote well-being and the use of herbs to disinfect, deodorize, heal and promote healing by the body.

The Evidence For:
Plants contain many substances that have biological effects on the body. There have been many studies and trials of various herbs used for medical purposes. The results of those studies vary by herb, but there are enough positives to warrant further investigation into many of the traditional uses for herbs. Among the positives:
While Echinacea did not prevent colds in two clinical trials, it did lessen the severity of the symptoms. As a side note, those who took Echinacea during their first cold had significantly fewer colds during the rest of the season.

- Black cohosh has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause and dysmenorrhea.
- Garlic lowers total cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and has antibacterial properties.
- Peppermint tea is effective in combating nausea.
- Chamomile tea induces relaxation and sleepiness.

These are just a few examples of many studies that prove the effectiveness of herbs in common use.

The Criticisms
Because herbal medicine is not standardized and regulated, there are concerns over safety of using herbal treatments. There is also a misconception among many people that herbal treatments, being all natural, have no harmful side effects. In fact, the chemicals in most plants can be powerful toxins, may interfere with medications being taken for various medical conditions, and may interact with each other in unexpected ways. Physicians and even herbalists warn that the indiscriminate use of herbal medicines can lead to poisoning and serious damage to the body’s organs and systems, as evidenced by the deaths attributed to ephedra.

Because of this, it is strongly recommended that anyone choosing to use herbal medicine be under the care of a knowledgeable herbalist, and inform all their medical practitioners of any herbs and other medications they may be taking.

An Overview of Biofeedback Techniques

Summary
Biofeedback is a complementary and alternative medical treatment which uses various methods to measure the body’s processes to help a subject become aware of them, and learn to gain conscious control of them. Generally, the method involves using a device of some sort to make the subject aware of his own responses to stimulus. The theory is that by recognizing the ‘feeling’ of a bodily process, the subject can work to gain physical control of it.

The theory was proposed in the 1960s by Neal Miller, a Yale University neuroscientist who discovered that rats could be taught to control their heart rates, pulse and other bodily processes once believed to be automatic an involuntary. Biofeedback has been used to treat a number of conditions, including asthma, incontinence, ADHD, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias.

The popularity of biofeedback as a treatment for medical conditions has waxed and waned since the 1960s, and it is currently on the rise again. The use of biofeedback has been widely accepted as a treatment for incontinence disorders, particularly bedwetting, and for the control of hypertension in adults. There are also psychiatrist who use biofeedback as a conditioning tool to help patients deal with phobias.

There are a number of kinds of biofeedback used for different types of treatment. The most common are used to measure brainwaves, body temperature, heart rate, pulse and galvanic skin tension.

· Electromyogram feedback measures muscle tension and is used to treat stress-related illnesses.
· Galvanic skin tension biofeedback measures the activities of sweat glands, and is used to treat anxiety related illnesses like phobias and stuttering.
· Temperature biofeedback measures skin temperature and is used to treat circulatory disorders including high blood pressure and migraine headaches.

The Evidence For
The strongest evidence of the effectiveness of biofeedback is in the area of bedwetting and other incontinence disorders, though there is recent research that biofeedback can help people learn to lower their blood pressure and heart rate. In addition there are small studies and anecdotal reports that biofeedback is useful in:

· anger management
· treatment of insomnia
· treatment of phobias and anxiety
· controlling migraines
· treatment of sleep disorders
· controlling hunger
· controlling impulse behavior in patients with ADHD

Criticisms of Biofeedback therapy
Most criticisms of biofeedback are based on a lack of scientific evidence that it works. In addition, there are some who criticize it as a uselessly expensive therapy that is used in place of less expensive but just as effective options like meditation and relaxation exercises.

An Overview of Ayurveda

Summary
Ayurveda is a system of medicine developed on the Indian subcontintent. It translates as ‘the science of life’, and is a holistic system that equally emphasizes body, mind and spirit. Like many other holistic practices, Ayurveda is based on the concept of balance and harmony in the funxtion of the body. The treatment methods used in nutritional intervention, exercise, meditation, massage, breathing therapies, sunlight and herbs. Ayurveda is widely used in India, and is more than just a system for curing illness. It is regarded as a system for maintaining health.

Like many other holistic systems, Ayurveda is focused on maintaining balance. In the case of Ayurveda, the balance is between the essences of air, fire, water, earth and spirit. The system for assigning persons to one or another of the essences is complex, as is the system of classifying all substances according to their qualities, but both are central to the practice of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic physicians undergo rigorous training to learn eight different branches of medicine: internal medicine, surgery, eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, pediatrics, psychiatry, toxicology, rejuvenation and fertility.

Ayurveda is growing more popular in the United States, and the demand for Ayurvedic herbs has prompted manufacturers to conform to standards in extraction, manufacturing, packaging and labeling.

The Evidence for Ayurveda
Many of the disciplines of Ayurveda are supported by research, though there is little research to support the practice as a whole. Therapies such as exercise and meditation offer proven benefits in lowering blood pressure, reducing weight and controlling diet and addictions. Many of the traditionally used herbs have undergone Western examination and testing which has identified active ingredients to account for positive effects on health.

Criticisms of Ayurveda
The criticisms of Ayurveda center on the fact that there is little research done to prove that the methodologies and therapies actually work, or to determine how they work when they do. The herbal component of Ayurveda raises the most concerns, as herbs, minerals and other natural substances do contain active ingredients that may be harmful if taken by people with certain conditions or in large doses. Because herbal treatments are unregulated, there are many products available that may be useless or harmful.

Conclusion
As with any other alternative medicine, consult your doctor about any treatment, medicine or supplement to be certain that it won’t interfere with conventional medical treatment. It should be noted that, like a few other holistic disciplines, Ayurveda focuses as much on prevention of disease as on curing it. Thus, Ayurvedic medicine is only one part of a lifestyle that is supported by an underpinning of ancient philosophies.

An Overview of Aromatherapy

Summary
Aromatherapy has become a catchall term used to describe the scents used in soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, and the effect of certain scents on the mind and body. In strict practice, though, aromatherapy is the use of volatile oils derived from plants to affect the mood or health. In clinical aromatherapy, the volatile oils used have specific effects on the body, including antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. While aromatherapy is regarded as a complementary medical tool in the United States, more of a ‘touchy feely’, New Age discipline with little evidence, the role of essential oils and aromatherapy are taken more seriously in Europe. In France, for instance, many essential oils are available only by prescription and aromatherapy is a part of conventional medicine.

Theory
While most people believe that aromatherapy is all about what your nose senses, there is far more to it than just scent. Essential oils are extracts from plants, many of which do have pharmacologic effects on the body and mind. In aromatherapy, these oils are used in various ways to induce the desired effect. The oils have a specific chemical action when inhaled, applied to the skin or ingested.

Practice
Aromatherapy is gaining wider acceptance in medical circles as research finds that scents and essential oils do have some medical and pharmacological effects on the body. The most accepted uses of aromatherapy are for the relief of pain and nausea, often post-operative or in conjunction with chemotherapy. There are various methods of using the essential oils. They include:

Inhalation, the most common method of delivering essential oils, is either by diffusing the oil in the air, or by direct inhalation through inhalers.
Absorption through the skin in baths, massages and compresses
Absorption through the mucus membranes
Ingestion – rarely used, and only with medical supervison

The therapeutic effects of essential oils are based on the chemical composition of the oil. It is not enough for something to ‘smell like lavender’ – lavender oil has a specific chemical makeup that is thought to act on chemical receptors in the brain. Among the therapeutic effects are:

Antiseptic effects: many essential oils are antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial
Anesthetic effects: some essential oils like menthol or camphor temporarily dampen pain receptors. Oil of camphor, for instance, is widely used to relieve the pain of toothaches.

Effects on the central nervous system that may induce relaxation or other psychological effects

Evidence For
There exist very few controlled studies to prove the effectiveness or safety of aromatherapy, but some uses of aromatherapy are simply accepted. These include the use of eucalyptus and menthol for treating congestion and upper respiratory infections, and the use of lavender for pain relief and relaxation.

Criticism
Critics point out that there is little formal research to demonstrate the efficacy of aromatherapy, and that it is almost impossible to standardize the chemical makeup of essential oils in order to accurately and adequately test their effects.

Despite the criticisms and the view of aromatherapy as a harmless but useless discipline, aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing branches of alternative medicine.

An Overview of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is a wide term that includes any treatment or therapy that is not generally recognized by conventional medical practice. It includes everything from traditional folk remedies to high-tech biofeedback using scanners and monitors to help patients focus their minds on affecting their bodies. While alternative medicine is still viewed with a jaundiced eye in many circles, it is increasingly being taken more seriously as research proves the effectiveness of many traditional treatments. It is being taken so seriously, in fact, that there is a National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health.

NCCAM’s purpose is to explore complementary and alternative medicine in the light of rigorous science – the same standards by which conventional treatments and medications are judged. Further, they are dedicated to making that information available to the public to help them make informed decisions about their health. NCCAM provides research grants, funding for ongoing ‘centers’ to explore promising therapies, and information on well-designed scientific studies of therapies that are not accepted parts of conventional medical practice.

CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is a fluid term, with an ever-changing list of therapies. As a treatment is tested and found to be safe and effective, it becomes adopted by conventional practitioners and moves off the CAM list. Some examples of this migration include chiropractics and the prescription of folic acid for all pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects.

Currently, NCCAM divides alternative therapies into five ‘domains’, depending on a number of factors. Those are:

Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems involve entire systems of practice and theory rather than just a method or treatment. These include systems like homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, to name just a few.

Mind-Body Interventions
Typically called ‘mind-over-illness’ techniques, mind-body interventions include any method or therapy that’s meant to help a patient use his mind to affect the symptoms of his illness. At one time, therapies like support groups were considered CAM. Current CAM of this type include meditation, biofeedback, prayer and art, music or dance therapy.

Biologically Based Therapies
Any treatment that uses substances from nature is considered a biologically based therapy. These include vitamins, diets and herbal products.

Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Massage or manipulation of one or more body parts are body-based methods. These include various types of massage, chiropractic and acupuncture.

Energy Therapies
Energy therapies are based on the concept of ‘energy fields’ that surround the body. Some of those therapies manipulate electrical fields that are said to emanate from the body. Others involve the use of electromagnetic fields in unconventional ways.

An Overview of Acupuncture

Summary
Acupuncture is one of the three main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, the others being herbal medicine and tui na. It is most often used by Westerners to refer to the practice of inserting steel needles into acupuncture points to achieve pain relief and healing.

Acupuncture has been in use for well over 2000 years. There is evidence that a form of acupuncture was used as early as the Bronze Age. It is one of the first components of Chinese traditional medicine to gain wide acceptance in the Western world, and was declared to be safe and effective for treating some conditions by the FDA in 1995.

Theory
Traditional Chinese Medicine states that acupuncture works by balancing the flow of qi (pronounced ‘chee’) in the body. The qi, or life force, is said to flow through all living beings, and to be comprised of positive and negative energies. In a healthy person, the qi is balanced and flows well. Pain and illness are thought to be the result of a blockage that prevents the qi from following the correct paths to maintain that balance. Acupuncture treats illness and disease by unblocking the qi.

Acupuncture is a holistic system that sees the body as a whole, and illness as a disturbance somewhere in that whole. The actual practice of acupuncture involves understanding the centers and meridians of the body, and where the points that control various organs and bodily systems are. It involves the use of pressure, often applied by inserting fine steel needles into the body, at those points and manipulating those needles to achieve certain effects.

The Evidence For
As bizarre as it may seem to the Western mind that sticking a needle into the web between thumb and forefinger can relieve headache, there is a great deal of evidence that acupuncture works. There have been dozens of studies done that show positive results for acupuncture in treating conditions as diverse as asthma, migraines, diabetic neuropathy, arthritis, lower back pain, depression, painful menstruation and menopause. The National Institutes of Health have concluded that there is enough evidence of the value of acupuncture to support further research of its clinical value.

The Potential Risks
Acupuncture does have some associated risks. It is an invasive procedure that involves puncturing the skin, so there is a risk of infection. There is the possibility of nerve damage from the needles. There have been rare reports that deep needling in the chest or lower back area can result in damage to the lungs or the kidneys. There is also the potential but extremely rare possibility of a haemopericardium (bleeding in the area around the heart) if a person has a congenital abnormality in the sternum.

Final Points:
Check with your state to find out what the requirements for practicing acupuncture are. Each state has differing regulations. Some require licensing and special training, others allow conventional doctors with no specific training in acupuncture techniques to apply those techniques in the office. That’s akin to saying that a dentist is qualified to perform heart surgery because he has a medical degree.

As with any other medical treatment, conventional or alternative, do your research and know the risks and benefits before deciding to undergo therapy.

Alternative Medicine and Menopause

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation on the NIMH web site as well as on other government web sites that offer information on health.

While menopause is not strictly speaking a disease or a disorder, the symptoms that accompany this natural life process are often uncomfortable to the point of debilitating. Mood swings, night sweats and hot flashes can make life hell for the several months or years that it takes the body to shift from reproductive state to post-menopause. Conventional therapy for menopause includes estrogen replacement therapy, but for many women, the side effects are worse than the symptoms of menopause. Alternative therapies offer other options that can help reduce the symptoms that make the months leading up to menopause uncomfortable for many women.

Nutrition Based Therapies
Soy based foods contain isoflavones that are similar to estrogen. Called phytoestrogens, they appear to reduce hot flashes, improve cholesterol and reduce bone loss. The recommendation is to include soy foods in the diet rather than to take soy supplements. Flaxseed also contains phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acid, and may reduce the symptoms of menopause as well as help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health recommend that menopausal women include at least 1000 milligrams of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily to prevent bone loss. Magnesium, boron and vitamin K may also be helpful in alleviating symptoms and helping to prevent bone loss.

Herbal Medicines
There are several herbal extracts that have shown promise in treating the symptoms of menopause. Of these, the most beneficial appears to be black cohosh. It is considered to be a safe and effective substitute for estrogen replacement therapy. Other herbs that may alleviate some symptoms include evening primrose oil, dong quai, red clover, wild yam, licorice root and saw palmetto.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps facilitate the release of endorphins and help balance hormones and relieve hot flashes.

Massage and Relaxation Techniques
Stress relief and pain management are two benefits of relaxation and meditation techniques. Both are valuable in treating the symptoms of menopause.

Any herbal or nutritional therapies should be discussed with your doctor to avoid drug interactions.

Alternative Medicine and Male Impotence

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of male impotence on the National Institutes of Health web site.

Male impotence may be caused by a number of different conditions, some psychological but most physical. These include:

- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Deficient blood flow to the penis
- Excessive drainage of blood from the penis
- Damage to the nerves around the penis
- Hormone abnormalities
- Side effects of drugs
- Alcoholism and drug abuse
- Heavy smoking
- High cholesterol
- Diseases affecting the erectile tissue of the penis
- Stroke and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis
- Kidney and liver failure

Not surprisingly, male erectile dysfunction is one of the disorders for which there exist literally hundreds of possible ‘cures’ in alternative and folk medicine. Some of these therapies may be useful. For instance, any treatment that effectively treats the cause of impotence will, by default, also treat the impotence problem. Some of the most effective of those treatments include:

Herbal Cures

Horny goat weed
o Horny goat weed is the most popular herbal treatment for impotence in the world. It’s based in Chinese traditional medicine and research shows that it contains the same kind of chemical from which Viagra is made.

Garlic
o Studies at two universities show that garlic helps the body react to nitric acid, which is important in maintaining an erection.

Gingko Biloba
o Gingko improves vascular function in the body, which means that it increases blood flow and release in the penis as well. In one study, 100% of the men who took gingko for at least six months reported improvement in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection.

Yohimbe root
o Yohimbe is approved by the FDA for the treatment of impotence. Yohimbine, an extract of yohimbe, has proven effective in treating erectile dysfunction in scientific studies.

In addition, men may benefit from any therapy that supports relaxation and the relief of tension, which is often a major component in continuing impotence problems.

Alternative Medicine and Diabetes

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation on the American Diabetes Association web site as well as on government web sites that offer information on health.

Specific alternate health treatments that may be helpful in those diagnosed with diabetes include:

Nutrition Based
People with diabetes should eat a healthy, low-fat diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruit and vegetables, with no more than 20% of daily calories from protein. Lifestyle changes are also recommended for diabetics, and weight loss helps control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, all of which are associated with diabetes.

Supplements
Research has shown that some supplements may be useful in controlling blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. These include chromium, magnesium, vanadium, fiber supplements, vitamin E, Vitamin B, selenium, zinc and biotin.

In addition, some supplements may be useful in controlling the development of high blood pressure and heart problems that often develop in people with diabetes. Those include CO Q10, omega 3 fatty acids and niacin. Alpha lipoic acid and gamma linolenic acid (found in evening primrose oil) may help reduce the development of diabetic neuropathy that causes damage to the nerve endings in the extremities in many diabetics.

Herbal Medicine
Herbs have been used in treating diabetes for centuries. Some of these have shown promising results in research. These include aloe vera, fenugreek seeds, American ginseng, green tea, ginger, garlic, onion, bilberry and Indian cluster beans.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be useful in helping to control pain and nerve damage in diabetics suffering from diabetic neuropathy, a related condition to diabetes. In one study, nearly 72% of patients treated with acupuncture reported a reduction of pain and better sleep.

Stress Management Therapies
Biofeedback, massage therapies, yoga and other treatments that help control stress may be helpful in managing diabetes, which often is exacerbated during stressful life times.

The usual cautions apply double to diabetics. Because many herbs and nutritional supplements affect the way the body digests sugar and uses insulin, it is vital that you doctor be aware of any supplements or herbal treatments that you try. It’s even possible that some may help lower blood sugar enough that he can reduce the amount of insulin that you take or adjust your schedule to accommodate your treatments.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is the term given to practices that differ from the conventional and more mainstream medical practices and are used in place of them.

Alternative medicine is a fairly broad umbrella term which covers many different methods of treatment ie Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic etc.

TCM is an example of alternative medicine. TCM, short for Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a broad term for therapies which include massage, diet therapy, herbalism and acupuncture.

TCM is based on the philosophy that having good health revolves around the correct flow of "chi" which is the energy of the body. The way this "chi" works is that it flows through our bodies in channels, known as "meridians". These meridians in turn contain hundreds of points which link the differents organs and functions of the body together.

We can help increase the amount of chi in our bodies by looking after ourselves, but eating healthily and sensibly, and by doing exercise.

In the main, traditional chinese medicine seems to be used a lot for skin complaints ie for acne and eczema oriented conditions. However, TCM is not limited just to clearing up skin problems and is intended for resolving disease and disorders of all varieties.

As mentioned previously, the treatments can vary. A massage treatment is completely different from and acupuncture session. In many cases, the practitioner will prescribed chinese herbs to be taken orally, although some can be made into solutions applied externally as well. Chinese herbs tend to have a very pungent and off putting odor - so be warned!

Another thing to be wary of, with regard to chinese medicinal treatments, it to ensure your practitioner is properly qualified and not just a bogus doctor in disguise.

TCm is a very powerful medicinal system with quite an ancient lineage and as such it needs to be treated with utmost respect. Cases have arisen where fraudsters have been posing as bogus doctors. There have also been cases where bona fide doctors, especially here in the West, have been prescribing chinese herbal treatments without being properly qualified to do so, and without knowing the full power of the medicine they are prescribing.

The possibility that chinese herbal medicine could be used as an effective treatment, is now starting to gain favour with Western docters as well. Many of these Western doctors have witnessed for themselves how amazingly well this medicine appears to work and now work together with chinese doctors in order to better understand the power of these herbs.

In the United States, Chinese herbal medicine is already being prescribed to AIDS and HIV sufferers. In fact, research papers published in China have concluded that the use of chinese herbs in the treatment of HIV and AIDS has had a positive effect because it seems to have reduced the virus symptoms and increased the survival times.

Elsewhere, chinese herbs are being used as a treatment for malaria and some are investigating the possibility of using both chinese herbs and acupuncture to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer patients. It all looks rather promising.

Alternative Medicine and Depression

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

In addition, there is considerable evidence that psychological conditions may respond as well if not better to some alternative treatments than to conventional medicine. Depression is a serious condition that affects about 17 million Americans each year. The symptoms may be fleeting and mild, or they may be debilitating and interfere with daily functioning.

Alternative therapies used with depression include lifestyle and dietary changes that may prevent depression. Regular exercise and a balanced diet may be instrumental in helping to maintain mental health.

Nutritional Based Therapy
A number of nutrients and supplements have been used to treat depression with some success. The most effective of these is folate. Research shows that 15%-38% of people suffering from depression show reduced levels of folate, though it’s uncertain if it’s a cause or an effect. In those people, folate supplementation may be helpful.

One of the most surprising and effective nutritional therapies for depression is supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil capsules. In one study at McLean’s Hospital in Massachusetts, the benefits were so clear to the treatment group, that the study was suspended before it ended so that those in the control group could benefit from omega 3 supplementation.

A number of other natural supplements have also been researched for their effect on depression. These include SAMe, 5-HTP, selenium, tryptophan and melatonin.

Herbal Medicines
Some studies show that St. John’s wort may be as effective as traditional tricyclic antidepressants, but have fewer side effects. Other herbs used to treat depression include valerian root, damiana and ginseng.

Acupuncture
There is some preliminary evidence that electroacupuncture may be effective in controlling depression.

Aromatherapy
Massage and aromatherapy seems to have positive affects on controlling depression. Particular scents that seem to alleviate depression include basil, orange, sandalwood, lemon, jasmine, sage and chamomile.

Relaxation and Meditation
Any therapy that encourages relaxation and integration of mind and body may be effective in treating depression. In addition, physical therapy and activity encourage the release of serotonin, the body’s natural antidepressant. Disciplines like yoga, tai chi and qi dong may be especially effective in treating depression.

Depression is a serious medical condition that may be caused by a number of physical illnesses, or accompany them. It’s important that you consult a doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one are suffering from depression. A proper diagnosis may show that there is more to the condition than the emotions. However, alternative therapies – particularly nutritional ones – may be helpful in dealing with the symptoms of depression.

As always, be sure to tell you doctor of any nutritional supplements or herbal medicines that you are taking to avoid drug interactions.

Alternative Medicine and Cancer

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation on the American Cancer Institute web site as well as on government web sites that offer information on health.

Specific therapies and treatments that are used in treatment of cancer include:

Nutrition Based
The specific recommendations for diet depend on the variety of cancer, but the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute both offer the following guidelines for diet and nutrition for cancer patients:

+ Increase consumption of natural, whole foods
+ Eat whole grains instead of processed foods
+ Include at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables in your diet daily.
+ Take a high quality multivitamin supplement to support your immune system

Herbal Remedies
Again, specific herb combinations are dependent on type of cancer, but some herbal medicines have been shown to help with nausea associated with chemotherapy. These include ginger root and fennel seed. In addition, teas and herbal remedies containing gingko biloba, red clover, quercetin and turmeric may help support the immune system. If you choose to use herbal therapies, be certain that your doctor knows exactly what you are taking to prevent drug interactions.

Acupuncture and Massage Therapies
Massage and body therapies can be useful in alleviating symptoms and controlling pain and nausea associated with some cancer treatments. They may be used in conjunction with conventional therapy, or after completion of other therapy.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been shown effective in reducing nausea and helping with pain control after surgery and chemotherapy.

Meditation Based Therapies
Meditation and yoga therapies may be helpful in promoting quality of life and well-being. Other mind-body based therapies may also be useful in helping to manage depression and other emotional problems that may result from dealing with diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Prevention
There is considerable evidence that diet and nutrition can help prevent cancer from developing. Specifically, cruciferous vegetables and fruits that are high in antioxidants seem to have a beneficial effect on the immune system and on slowing and preventing the growth of cancer cells.

Neither the American Cancer Society nor the National Cancer Institute recommend nutritional supplements for the prevention or treatment of cancer. Instead, they strongly support a healthy, balanced diet that emphasizes whole, raw and natural grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats, low fat and few processed foods.

Alternative Medicine and Arthritis

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of arthritis on the National Institutes of Health web site.

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the connective tissues. Its symptoms include debilitating pain, decreasing mobility and reduced flexibility. Alternative therapies are aimed at improving strength, increasing flexibility, preserving balance and slowing deterioration of tissue, as well as the control of pain.

Nutrition Based
One of the most promising treatments for osteoarthritis is supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin, Glucosamine has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation better than most pharmaceutical drugs, last longer than ibuprofen, improve range of motion and improve pain better and for longer than piroxicam. Chondroitin alleviates pain better than any other pain medication. Some reports claim that pain reduction continues as much as three months after supplements are stopped. It also decreases the amount of fluid in the joint, reduces swelling and improves walking gait.

Those are only two of the supplements that have shown promise in treating the pain associated with arthritis. Others include SAMe, vitamin D, C, A and and E. omega 3 fatty acids, manganese and bromelian.

Herbal Medicines
Herbal medicines are the alternative therapy most often used by people with arthritis. Among the herbals that have shown promise in treating arthritis are capsaicin, avocado and soybean extracts, cat’s caw, ginger and kava kava.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture has shown a great deal of effectiveness in controlling pain associated with arthritis. In studies, people who receive acupuncture demonstrate significant improvement in pain and walking ability, even up stairs, in comparison to those who receive only conventional therapy.

Chiropractic
While chiropractic doesn’t reverse the damage associated with arthritis, it can significantly reduce pain and increase range of motion.

Massage Therapies
Direct massage, either alone or with ice, heat or an ointment of some sort can be effective in reducing pain and swelling of the joints.

Holistic Treatments
Alternative systems like Ayurveda offer both physical therapies that can help preserve flexibility, and disciplines that help reduce pain and tension. In addition, many include herbal treatments that may reduce pain and swelling. Tai chi, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in improving the symptoms of osteoarthritis as well.

Alternative Medicine and AIDS

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of AIDS, HIV and its treatments on government web sites devoted to health.

Doctors are far more likely to recommend and accept alternative treatments in the case of HIV and AIDS, since conventional medicine offers little more than prolonging life. Many alternative treatments and therapies can contribute to a better quality of life, and may extend the period of time before AIDS develops.

Nutrition Based Therapies
Most treatment programs for people with AIDS include consultation with a licensed nutritionist. Among the supplements that have been found effective in treating HIV and AIDS are vitamins C and E, which may help reduce the viral load of cells. In addition, selenium, glutamine, beta carotene and N-acetylcysteine can help with weight gain.

Herbal Medicines
There have been studies that have shown some herbal treatments are as effective for treating conditions related to AIDS and HIV than the conventional medications traditionally used. In one study, for instance, patients with shingles were given either an herbal treatment or acyclovir, a drug usually used to treat shingles. The herbal group improved more quickly than the drug group. In another study, 13 patients who were treated with cats claw, an herbal preparation, had significantly increased white blood cells after five months of treatment. Ginseng has shown some promise in treating AIDS as well.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is used to help reduce and control symptoms associated with AIDS and the side effects of medicines used to treat it. It may help alleviate symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, insomnia and diarrhea.

Mind Body Medicine
Massage may help alleviate anxiety and improve mood, as well as improve CD4 counts in some people.

There are some cautions in using alternative treatments in AIDS patients. Specifically, astragalus, which has been recommended to treat symptoms of AIDS may actually encourage the replication of the AIDS virus.

The National Institutes of Health web site includes information on alternative therapies in relation to AIDS. It also offers information about ongoing clinical trials for new treatments that may offer a chance at promising but as yet unproven therapies for those that qualify for inclusion.

Alternative Medicine and ADHD

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Parents dealing with ADHD in their children, and adults trying to control it in themselves often seek out alternative therapies in preference to dependence on stimulant medication and psychoactive drugs with harmful side effects. Some of the therapies suggested for treating ADHD include biofeedback, nutritional supplements, special diets and martial arts and meditation training.

Nutritional Therapies
Nutritional based therapies are the most commonly used alternative treatments for ADHD. These include restrictions on sugar and additives, gluten free diets, diets that avoid suspected allergens, and avoidance of artificial sweeteners. The most famous of these diets is the Feingold diet, which restricts diet to all natural foods with no artificial colors, preservatives of flavors. Despite the fact that studies have shown that less than one percent of children on the Feingold diet show any consistent benefit, parents continue to use it.

Supplementation
Megavitamin supplementation has been suggested as a possible treatment for ADHD, however most doctors warn that supplementing the diet with extremely large doses of vitamins can be toxic. There is some evidence that children with ADHD may suffer from subclinical deficiencies of magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, melatonin or essential fatty acids. Consult a doctor before adding supplements to your or a child’s diet.

Herbal Medicine
There are a number of ‘all natural’ herbal treatments sold in the United States for the control of ADHD. None have been shown to be effective. In addition, there are dangers to herbs, particularly since there are no regulations on herbal medicines or treatments. The herbs themselves may have side effects or interact with other medications. Some of the herbs that are used in those medications include gingko biloba, valerian root and American ginseng.

Mind/Body Therapies
Hypnotherapy and biofeedback are to therapies that are often used to treat children with ADHD. The theory is that these therapies can help children with ADHD learn coping skills that give them a sense of control and mastery. This reduces stress and anger that can accompany ADHD.

Tai Chi, I Dong, and other Physical disciplines
Physical disciplines that emphasize the mind body connection may be especially useful with children who have ADHD. They teach controlled movement, focus, attention and control of impulses. Often, the discipline required can spill over into other areas of life.

Homeopathy
In one study, 43 children who received individualized treatment with homeopathy showed significant improvement over children who received a placebo.

ADHD can be a difficult disorder to treat and to live with. Massage therapies, relaxation therapies and other therapies that promote body awareness and relaxation can be helpful in dealing with the stress.

Alternative Medicine

Ayurveda is an ancient traditional medicine system that originates from India. It is more like a lifestyle and covers all aspects of health from nutrition and surgery even.

It is possible for anyone, once they have obtained a good all round understanding about Ayurveda, to introduce Ayurvedic principles into their life and they will find that they are able to gain great benefits from doing so.

The main aim of Ayurveda is prevention. The old ancients texts tell us that humans should be able to live to be about 100 years old and that all of these years should be lived in good health, both physically and mentally. Ayurveda does not accept that getting old equals a failing health and a poor quality of life as we do here in the West.

There is an overlying emphasis on trying to achieve a positive and equal balance between mind and body. Ayurvedic practitioners will often strive to find health issues which may just be in their early stages and try to deal with them before they get more serious. In all, Ayurveda seeks to take a prevantative stance when it comes to diseases, both physical and mental.

In Ayurveda, the types of treatments may be things like herbal preparations to be taken orally. Often, an Ayurvedic doctor will advise that you change your diet as well. There is also a great focus on stress relaxation and Ayurveda can involve some deeple relaxing massage techniques.

The philosophy behind Ayurveda is quite complex and it can take some would be practitioners many years before they can fully grasp and even appreciate it all.

Practitioners of Ayurveda knew about the concepts of atomic physics thousands of years ago; they even knew that that atom was divisible.
In fact Ayurvedic teachings state that each atom is made up of five elements:

- its weight comes from earth
- its cohesion comes from watcxer
- its energy comes from fire
- its motion comes from air
- the spaces between the particles are made of ether

And so, in this way, in Ayurveda, the entire human body is comprised of these same five elements. An excess of one or more of these could throw the body into imbalance and in doing so lead to illness.

Over time, Ayurveda came up with three bio-energies or "doshas" which are effectively combinations of these five elements. An example would be "pitta" which comes from fire and a little water, or "vata" which comes from a combination of ether and air. The ideal would be to have all of the three doshas in perfect harmony and in balance with each other. However, the reality is that this is rarely the case. Ayurvedic medicine is focussed on balancing the "doshas" so as to restore health.

It is usually the case that we have one or more doshas out of balance.
Even so, there is no typical Ayurvedic session and methods of diagnosis and types and variations of treatments will differ from practitioner to practitioner.

Acupuncture

Chinese medicine or traditional Chinese medicine consists of many folk medical practices which are based on spirituality. The body's vital energy or Chi /qi circulate through channels also known as meridians that consist of branches which connect to bodily organs or functions. Any imbalance or interruption of chi is believed to be attributed to illnesses. Ancient practices such as acupuncture, Qigong and herbal use are thought to restore this balance.

Acupuncture involves inserting very slim, stainless steel needles into assorted parts of the body. Sometimes, low frequency electric currents are applied to the needles to produce a greater stimulation. There are other procedures that may be used in conjunction with acupuncture including:

Moxibustion (burning of floss or herbs which are applied to the skin)
Injection of sterilized water
Procaine
Morphine
Vitamins
Homeopathic solutions which are inserted through the needles
Applications of laser beams (laser puncture)
Placement of needles in the ear (auriculotherapy)
Acupressure (use of manual pressure)

Treatment is applied to the acupuncture points which are believed to be located throughout the body. There were originally 365 points which represented the days of the year but during the past 2000 years, proponents have identified more and this number has increased gradually to around 2000.

Many practitioners place needles near or on the area of the disease whereas others select points according to the patient’s symptoms. Traditional acupuncture consists of a combination of points being used.

Most acupuncturists follow the traditional Chinese view of health and disease and consider that acupuncture along with herbal remedies and other related practices are valid approaches to curing disease. Other acupuncturists disagree with this traditional approach and believe that the process of acupuncture merely offers a way to relieve pain.

An acupuncturist diagnoses by asking the patient many questions including medical history and their lifestyle. They observe the skin and tongue along with listening to breathing sounds and pulse recording.

Where medical science recognises one pulse which corresponds with the heartbeat, acupuncturists believe that there are six pulses which correlate with the body’s organs and functions.

Certain acupuncturists believe that the electrical properties in the body can become imbalanced several weeks or months before the physical symptoms occur. They also claim that acupuncture can have its benefits when the patient complaints that they don’t feel 100% even when disease is not apparent.

Acupuncturists claim to cure chronic pain including pain in the neck and back, migraines and headaches, injury related pain such as strains, ligament and muscle tear, problems with the stomach and the intestines, cardiovascular conditions, genitourinary conditions, muscle and nerve problems and behavioural problems.
It has to be noted that most of the evidence that supports these claims derive from the practitioner’s observations through poor, uncontrolled studies so some of the beneficial results may not be entirely reliable.

Although it is not exactly known how acupuncture can relieve pain, theories suggest that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord and the brain. Another theory claims that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic like substances which reduce the pain.