Alternative medicine energy therapy treats all aspects of health in an holistic manner. It may be used to address many health conditions through treatments which focus on body, mind and spirit – or both. Such therapies may use physiological or physical techniques, or both together.
Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that those using alternative healing tend to be better educated, have more holistic beliefs regarding health, and belong to an emerging value subculture referred to by Ray as “cultural creatives.”
Ayurveda
Ayurveda, which originated in India over five millennia ago, is an ancient system of holistic medicine rooted in belief that all life is composed of three basic bio-energetic principles known as doshas as well as five great elements (water, earth, fire, air and space) that make up both organic and inorganic matter on our planet.
A key principle of Ayurved is the belief that each individual possesses their own individual balance between these three energy types, and when one becomes unbalanced it can lead to illness or disease. Thus the Ayurvedic approach to health and wellness entails making lifestyle changes, taking herbal remedies or using other natural therapies which restore equilibrium.
Ayurved treatments begin by identifying each person’s Prakruti (constitution), which defines their unique physical and emotional traits. According to Ayurvedic beliefs, one’s Prakruti results from both genetic inheritance and environmental influences such as diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.
Vata people tend to be creative and energetic when in balance, yet can become anxious, fearful and scattered when out of harmony. Their physical traits include thin bones with delicate digestive systems. Their emotional makeup includes fears of abandonment or failure as well as traits such as impatience and wanting change.
Pitta energy in Ayurveda medicine is often described as the “fire” energy, characterised by an intense passion for life and learning. Pitta people tend to possess an intensely competitive nature which may lead to unhealthy behaviors; when balanced properly however, pitta individuals enjoy adventure while making great communicators.
Kapha energy in Ayurveda can often be described as the “water” element, though it also can refer to acts of generosity and compassion. When balanced properly, kapha can promote endurance and strength within the body while aiding digestion by carrying nutrients directly to circulatory system.
Ayurved practitioners believe that all illness stems from imbalances between these three energy types, which they treat with techniques like yoga, massage and herbal remedies. When considering adding Ayurved to your lifestyle it’s essential that you find a qualified practitioner with formal training; any unregulated herbal preparations could contain harmful heavy metals like mercury or lead and should also be avoided.
Reiki
Pain is a widespread complaint that can significantly decrease quality of life for its victims, impacting sleep, mobility, functioning, stress levels and mood as a whole. Alternative medicine energy therapies like Reiki offer effective strategies for pain management; such as helping reduce inflammation in joints with chiropractic manipulation techniques as well as promote relaxation and wellbeing.
These techniques work by manipulating invisible energy fields around the body to heal. Used alongside traditional medicine and complementary healing practices such as physical rehabilitation and holistic therapies, these practices work on the belief that our bodies possess an inherent capacity for self-healing when their energy flow freely. Furthermore, any disturbances or blockages within this flow should be addressed for healing to occur more effectively.
Alternative therapies have been around for thousands of years, and while some may be controversial, they do appear to provide benefits. Before engaging in any alternative therapy treatments yourself, however, always speak with your healthcare provider first and make sure it won’t interfere with any existing medical treatments or medicines you might be on.
If you are considering alternative therapies, it is important to research carefully and select a practitioner with appropriate credentials and training. Check whether they belong to professional organizations as well. Don’t be intimidated into asking any questions regarding their approach or make sure that they understand any conditions you have.
Energy healing modalities have become increasingly popular across Canada and can complement modern medicine in providing relief to many patients’ symptoms. Many have also reported feeling relaxed after participating in an energy healing session, citing it as relaxing experience that enhanced quality of life and reduced need for pain medication while improving mood. Many healthcare professionals endorse such alternative treatments like Reiki to treat chronic pain; healthcare professionals even endorse its use in cancer patients! Reiki therapy has proven its efficacy against pain while simultaneously decreasing anxiety.
Massage
Massage therapy refers to any practice which involves pressing, stroking or manipulating skin, muscles, tendons or ligaments with pressure from fingers, thumbs or other hands to relax, rejuvenate or relieve various health conditions through alternative medicine practices such as light stroking to deep pressure massage techniques. Massage can range from light strokes to intense pressure applications; its goal being relaxation and rejuvenation of body as well as pain reduction or increased circulation improvements as well as relieving anxiety – an integral component of mental wellbeing.
Massage therapy has long been believed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), calming down your body after stressful situations and helping lower cortisol levels and raise serotonin. Massage has even been found to decrease symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and breast cancer as well as headaches and depression.
Massage has existed for centuries or millennia; others may be more recent forms of alternative medicine that have now made their way into mainstream medical care, with strong scientific proof showing their efficacy and safety.
These therapies include Chinese herbs and acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, Classical homeopathy and indigenous healing systems. All are rooted in the belief that illness or dysfunction originates in imbalances in a patient’s overall constitution rather than just one organ being affected directly.
Therapeutic massage can provide many health benefits, from relieving muscle tension to detoxifying the body, improving sleep and increasing energy. Furthermore, massage therapy has been shown to boost immunity by increasing production of killer T cells that destroy tumors and other diseases, as well as prevent injuries and speed up recovery post exercise.
Therapeutic massage offers numerous advantages, yet the exact results of each session can differ depending on who receives one. Some individuals may feel slightly achey or lethargic after receiving one; for others it may lead to intense relaxation resulting in brief confusion or sleepiness after leaving a session; in either case you will likely enjoy improved quality of life and an overall greater sense of well-being in time.
Meditation
Meditation is an energy healing modality involving breathing exercises and mental focus, and can be practiced alone or in groups. Meditation has many health benefits including stress management, pain relief and reduced risks of chronic illnesses like heart disease. To get maximum benefits out of their meditation practice it should take place in a quiet setting without distractions.
Meditation has been shown to assist with numerous mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it can reduce blood pressure while increasing focus and concentration. Furthermore, experienced meditators believe it changes certain brain cell structures; this process typically occurs gradually over several months to years and helps reorganize how their mind works, resolve conflicts between patterns, optimize attention filters and refocus attention filters.
Meditation’s goal is to allow you to become the observer, rather than participant, of your thoughts. Meditation practices can either be guided or unguided; choose one that aligns with your spiritual beliefs – for instance if you’re Christian consider repeating Lord’s Prayer; in Buddhist traditions this could involve repeating phrases like, ‘May all beings find happiness and their causes of happiness.”
Breathing exercises are another form of meditation that can increase oxygen levels in your body while relieving muscle tension. A deep breath uses diaphragm muscles to expand lungs and lower heart rate; try practicing this a few times each day while concentrating on feeling it come and leave your body; if thoughts wander from their intended focus, simply bring back to the breath with gentle reminders to bring attention back on track.
Qigong is an ancient Chinese form of meditation that combines physical movement with mental concentration and deep breathing to increase your flow of qi, or vital energy, and improve both physical and mental wellbeing. A study published in 2011 demonstrated how it reduced blood pressure while simultaneously increasing relaxation levels among participants.