Alternative health therapies are an approach to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). They may involve nutritional, physiological or physical techniques. Examples may include using nutritional supplements, herbs, vitamins, probiotics or natural products as part of the therapy; massage therapy, acupuncture or yoga; as well as mind-body techniques like biofeedback meditation hypnosis for example.
Certain complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices lack evidence supporting their efficacy; while other forms have been widely researched and accepted by medical practitioners. If you are considering any complementary therapies, consult with your doctor first before making your decision.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda medicine, an ancient Indian practice, is an integrative and holistic approach to wellness that’s usually seen as complementary or alternative to Western medicine. This holistic approach emphasizes body-mind connection by encouraging healthy eating habits, stress relief, herbal remedies and physical exercise – while also striving to balance three energy types (or doshas) within our bodies to treat or prevent health problems.
Ayurveda is founded on the idea that all illness is the result of imbalances within your body’s natural processes, including imbalances with movement, digestion, and lubrication processes. According to Ayurveda theory, everyone has their own individual mix of energies that makes up their unique body type: Vata represents wind energy; pitta represents fire energy; and kapha stands for earth energy – each playing an essential part in physical movement, digestion, lubrication processes as well as movement within humans themselves.
According to Ayurvedic theory, disease stems from our bodies being unable to process nutrients effectively. To address this issue, more kapha energy needs to lubricate and structure cells while vata and pitta energy is used for movement; without enough kapha in our bodies we may suffer symptoms like dry or rough skin, insomnia and low energy.
Ayurved practitioners offer several treatments to address imbalances, including herbal supplements, diet and lifestyle modifications and massage therapy. Although it shouldn’t replace Western medicine entirely, Ayurvedic practices may strengthen immunity to diseases as well as provide natural ingredients that are more likely to be safe and effective than pharmaceutical drugs. It may also help manage chronic conditions like arthritis or asthma; however it should be avoided for more serious ailments like fractures or heart attacks.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body practice that incorporates physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation into one holistic experience. Research has demonstrated its efficacy at increasing balance and flexibility as well as alleviating chronic pain. Furthermore, its practice may reduce stress, reduce anxiety and depression while increasing self-esteem and body image – not to mention improved sleep and digestion! In addition to these psychological advantages of Yoga practice.
Yoga was traditionally practiced solely as a spiritual practice, but today its many health benefits are being recognized more broadly. Research indicates that it may help treat heart disease, arthritis and asthma symptoms as well as increase hemoglobin and red blood cell counts while simultaneously decreasing proteins that promote clot formation. A recent 12-week yoga program significantly decreased disability as well as dependence on opioid medication among patients suffering chronic low back pain.
Acupuncture is another alternative therapy with proven health benefits, using needles inserted into specific points on the body to stimulate nerves and muscles to release natural painkilling chemicals that provide immediate pain relief. Acupuncture has been used for centuries as a solution for various conditions including pain, stress and anxiety.
No single explanation explains why more people are turning to alternative therapies, though certain theories propose certain sociocultural and personal influences may play a part in this shift. People more inclined toward holistic philosophy and spirituality tend to utilize alternative therapies while higher education levels increase likelihood. Unfortunately, this study relied on self-reporting which may introduce bias.
Meditation
Meditation is an age-old practice used to focus the mind and reduce stress. Studies suggest it can help treat various health conditions, including high blood pressure and pain; mental health improvements include memory and focus improvement; it can even be performed while sitting, walking or lying down – with or without music accompaniment – some research showing regular practice increasing brain size and grey matter as well as improving intelligence, creativity and strengthening immunity systems.
Alternative therapy is an area of medicine that specializes in using nontraditional methods to promote health. This category encompasses practices like acupuncture, massage and hypnosis. Some forms of alternative therapies can be considered complementary with conventional treatment while others might not be recognized by medical professionals as an acceptable medical solution.
As more research needs to be conducted on alternative health therapies, it’s essential that more studies be conducted. Speaking to your physician before trying any alternative health therapies can provide invaluable advice about their safety as well as what you can expect.
Alternative health treatments have long been utilized, yet their full understanding remains unknown. Scientists have investigated their effects through various means – such as MRI imaging and animal studies – with some results being promising and other less so; overall evidence is inconclusive. Yet some researchers maintain that such therapies could help individuals overcome illness by tapping into spirituality and acknowledging its place within life’s greater whole.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis may conjure images of stage shows and witches, but it’s actually an alternative health treatment that can help people lose weight, quit smoking and sleep better. Hypnosis involves entering into a state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and increased imagination – similar to being immersed in an excellent book or movie!
Psychiatrists employ hypnosis as a treatment method to assist their patients in dealing with issues like anxiety, depression and pain management. Hypnosis may also serve as an adjunct therapy approach since its hypnotic state enables greater access to unconscious processes as well as deeper emotional exploration. Hypnotherapy may even help individuals deal with traumas they’ve repressed resulting in improved physical and emotional wellbeing.
Though hypnosis may appear irresponsible and risky to patients, most studies have proven its safety and effectiveness in various settings – for example a 2018 review of studies using hypnotherapy for sleep issues, PTSD, chronic pain management and IBS revealed 57 percent reported positive results!
Hypnotists first help their patient relax before offering therapeutic suggestions that align with their goals. For instance, if someone is trying to overcome their fear of flying, their hypnotist might instruct them to imagine floating with the plane above. Furthermore, the therapist may suggest exploring memories related to fear as part of this therapy session. Furthermore, some studies indicate this method can both increase outcomes and decrease session requirements.
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is an alternative healing practice designed to create balance among body, mind and spirit. The name itself comes from two Japanese words rei (universal spirit or higher power) and ki (life energy). Reiki practitioners believe their body should possess strong and free-flowing life energy for physical and mental wellness.
Studies on Reiki suggest it can provide psychological benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression. Furthermore, others believe it can relieve pain while increasing quality of sleep and improving self-esteem and emotional regulation – though more research must be conducted to support such claims. One such study, published by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that students experiencing depression experienced greater improvements after attending six 30-minute Reiki sessions over two to eight weeks than a control group.
Reiki therapy tends to attract healthy individuals looking to maintain or address a particular challenge in their lives. Reiki can also help ease life transitions more smoothly and create momentum when feeling stuck – evidence supporting that people who use alternative therapies do so as part of an attempt to connect spirituality and find meaning within themselves and find peace within. The results of this exploratory study lend credence to this theory.
While most alternative health therapies have been determined safe, it’s still wise to consult your physician prior to beginning any new practice. This is especially important if you are taking medications or suffering from a chronic illness; alternative health therapies are designed to complement conventional medicine rather than replace it; some practices such as yoga and meditation have widespread acceptance while other therapies like homeopathy or reiki remain controversial.
