Alternative physical therapies have become an increasing trend in healthcare, also known as holistic therapy or complementary medicine. They work alongside or as an alternative for traditional medical practices.
However, some alternative therapies may provide psychological and physical benefits beyond what conventional medicine can.
Acupuncture
Alternative physical therapies range from fringe practices to scientifically supported practices, with Acupuncture being one of those ancient techniques often relied upon to alleviate pain and improve mood.
This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting very fine, solid needles into specific points on the body to release natural painkillers and stimulate nerves and cells that promote healing. Although some individuals report immediate relief, others take days or weeks before seeing any change.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for treating various conditions, such as headaches and back pain as well as nausea caused by surgery or chemotherapy treatment. A 2017 metaanalysis demonstrated its benefits were not simply placebo effects.
As with any treatment, acupuncture should not be undertaken if you have an infection – particularly blood-borne conditions like Hepatitis B/C/HIV/AIDS as needles could contain bacteria or viruses contaminating them with bacteria or viruses that will spread further infection. Furthermore, going under treatment with bruises or sore spots caused by recent injuries could increase bleeding and swelling and could worsen your condition further.
There are a few key contraindications for receiving this therapy, including having had lymph nodes removed from under your arm as this increases your risk of lymphedema, which can be brought on by acupuncture treatments. Furthermore, those taking anticoagulants should avoid the procedure.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and imagination. While people commonly associate hypnotic states with sleep, they’re actually closer to that dreamy state that occurs right before we drift off. A clinical hypnotherapy session will involve being guided into this deeply relaxing state using mental imagery and verbal repetition by your therapist – during this time your critical faculties become temporarily suspended so you’re more open to therapeutic suggestions such as quitting smoking or relieving pain.
Hypnotherapy has long been practiced but only recently earned scientific respectability. Although its exact mechanisms remain obscure, researchers believe hypnosis promotes certain brain wave activity.
Studies indicate that hypnosis may help alleviate anxiety and improve sleep for individuals living with cancer or other serious medical conditions, yet may be most beneficial when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Combining hypnosis with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you break bad habits and learn coping mechanisms to deal with symptoms more effectively. Hypnosis may also prove effective when combined with other forms of psychotherapy such as guided imagery or relaxation techniques. Prior to embarking upon any alternative therapies such as hypnosis or alternative medicine practices, consult your physician first. They can recommend trained practitioners best suited for you while explaining any risks or benefits involved with hypnosis for you personally.
Massage
Massage is a hands-on technique for manipulating soft tissues of your body, including muscles. A trained therapist uses long, gliding strokes, kneading, and tapping techniques on the surface of your skin to promote relaxation, increase blood flow, improve flexibility, and alleviate muscle tension. There are over 80 forms of massage with some being mild while others being intense.
Multiple studies have demonstrated how massage therapy can lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for stimulating your “fight or flight” response and contributing to anxiety, depression and sleep issues. Furthermore, massage increases levels of oxytocin – known as “love hormone”, helping people feel more positive while decreasing anxiety levels.
Before seeking massage therapy, it’s essential that you consult with your physician first, especially if you have cancer or another medical condition. They will recommend the appropriate type of massage therapy as well as areas to avoid.
Massage can be performed on all or specific parts of your body, including the back and neck. You can select a style that best fits you from Swedish massage, deep tissue work or acupressure techniques; other techniques used by therapists could include cupping — applying heated cups directly onto skin in order to stimulate blood circulation and decrease inflammation; meditation or relaxation exercises before or after receiving a massage can further enhance its benefits – also known as mind-body medicine or integrative medicine techniques.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice with proven benefits on health and well-being. While modern medicine may provide relief from physical diseases or alleviate psychological disorders, it often fails to address emotional or intellectual aspects of our existence. Yoga offers an holistic healing path and has become an increasingly popular way of maintaining wellness while alleviating certain conditions or illnesses.
“Yoga” means to yoke or unite and refers to the unification of body, breath and spirit. Yoga emphasizes connecting with the greater universe through meditation and ethical principles known as the Yamas and Niyamas – providing physical and mental benefits including increased flexibility, reduced stress levels and an overall healthier attitude toward life. This discipline has been shown to significantly benefit physical as well as mental wellbeing by increasing flexibility, decreasing stress levels and encouraging a positive outlook toward life.
Physical yoga involves various postures and breathing techniques designed to strengthen and stretch muscles, tendons and ligaments while relieving stress. Yoga poses can also strengthen and stretch ligaments as well as relieve muscle soreness due to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis by improving movement of joints or relieving fatigue, while helping with frequent headaches and other pain-inducing conditions by keeping our focus in the present and shifting balance between fight-or-flight response and relaxation response responses.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to wellness that promotes proper diet, clean water consumption, sunlight exposure, exercise and stress management. Based on the belief that each person possesses an inborn capacity for self-healing, naturopaths work alongside patients to minimize symptoms of illness while simultaneously strengthening immunity so that future illnesses will be less likely. They use approved natural healing therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture in addition to lifestyle advice from their practitioners.
Naturopaths understand that every system in our bodies works closely together and that wellness only comes about when all systems are working as intended. When diagnosing and treating disease, they adhere to the First Do No Harm principle; selecting therapies which are least disruptive as possible in order to restore health. They view symptoms not as signs of illness but as signals that something deeper has gone awry in your health.
Naturopaths are trained to recognize emotional, environmental, dietary and acupressure factors which may impede health, such as emotions or lifestyle factors that contribute to poor wellbeing. Their primary focus should be education and counseling in order to empower their patient to address issues within their control. Naturopaths may use non-toxic natural remedies that have been scientifically tested such as herbs, flower essences and acupressure preparations; more conventional medical doctors have begun recommending such techniques as well as undertaking additional training for alternative medicine practices.
Reiki
Reiki is an alternative therapy practiced by placing hands above or gently on the body in order to harness life force energy for healing and relaxation. As it’s noninvasive, Reiki can be combined with traditional medical treatments like surgery and chemotherapy as an adjunctive practice to improve pain management, anxiety reduction and sleep quality; plus speed up recovery post surgery or treatment.
At each session, the practitioner gently holds their hands above or on areas that are tender or painful, talking through expectations or intentions and any areas on which you would like them to focus. Reiki can reduce stress and pain as well as aiding other medical conditions like heart disease, cancer and leukemia.
No definitive evidence exists to show the efficacy of Reiki for any medical condition; many studies rely on small sample sizes and self-reporting. Nonetheless, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has concluded that when used appropriately by trained practitioners reiki is safe.
Before beginning any form of alternative therapy, it is advisable to discuss it with your primary care doctor first, particularly if you already have an existing medical condition. Furthermore, be sure to notify any practitioner that may provide alternative medical therapies about any conventional medical treatments you are receiving as well as their potential risks.
