Alternative therapies are practices, philosophies and modalities which aim to promote health and alleviate symptoms through non-conventional means. Many are founded upon beliefs or traditions which predate modern science.
Alternative therapies may have a placebo effect or may interact with standard treatment, increasing risks of side effects or diminishing its efficacy. Still, many patients benefit from them in certain areas such as:
Ayurveda
Ayurved medicine is an ancient, traditional Indian healing system that promotes balance in mind, body and spirit through diet changes, herbal medicines, massage therapy and poultices. This approach uses diet modification, herbal remedies, massage therapy and poultices to treat an array of conditions ranging from anxiety, stress management, insomnia weight loss arthritis eye care skin issues. Ayurved treatment first gained widespread exposure through Deepak Chopra’s books and celebrity endorsements during the 90s in India where its practice remains highly respected; today in America its popularity continues to spread rapidly as its popularity spread further than ever before!
Ayurveda has an ancient Indian history that dates back to its roots in Vaisheshika philosophical teachings and Nyaya logic schools; some texts written as appendices of these two schools appear within the Vedas, an ancient Hindu scripture. These schools focused on perception and inference respectively and when combined formed the manifest framework known as Samkhya.
Ayurveda practitioners believe that when people are healthy, this is because their body and environment are working harmoniously together; otherwise they become sick due to an imbalance on any level – physical, mental or spiritual. Ayurvedic practitioners therefore focus on treating the whole person through treatments like diet change, herbal medicines, meditation, massage therapy or purification programs that seek to restore balance within themselves and restore wellness.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Ayurved therapies on cancer patients. They should not, however, replace standard medical care as many Ayurvedic remedies contain metals, herbs and substances which could interact with conventional medication and increase your risk of side effects. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider prior to undertaking any Ayurvedic therapies.
Ayurved treatments, which may include bloodletting and forceful vomiting, can be harmful for those suffering from cancer or low levels of red blood cells. Furthermore, Ayurvedic products sold in the U.S. have not been subjected to rigorous safety testing and could contain toxic materials like mercury or lead. It’s wise to avoid placing anything new into your mouth without knowing where its origin lies.
Dietary approaches to medicine
“Food as medicine” approaches use whole, minimally-processed foods and a wide array of herbs and spices as medicine to manage both health and disease, while encouraging consumption of foods allegedly high in specific micronutrients or biomolecules believed to possess medicinal properties. While such strategies could potentially increase outcomes and decrease costs, for their widespread implementation they require training clinicians as well as integration into healthcare systems as well as creating a strong evidence base and creating insurance coverage plans for coverage purposes.
Energy therapies
Energy therapies are founded on the idea that human life force, or bioenergy or chi, plays an integral part of healing and health. These practices have long been part of many cultures’ and healing traditions’ medical care regimens and often work alongside traditional forms. Some energy therapies even make hospital visits as gentle interventions which complement doctors and other medical staff members’ work.
Alternative medicine techniques like acupuncture, Reiki and energy therapy are popularly considered alternative forms of medication. These techniques seek to promote overall well-being by providing relief from mental, emotional and physical concerns. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to significantly decrease pain levels while increasing fatigue levels for people living with chronic diseases; other types of energy therapy appear less successful at improving life quality overall.
Before beginning therapy treatments, it’s essential to consult a qualified practitioner. They can inform you what to expect from these techniques and help find an appropriate therapist; additionally they may have suggestions of other practitioners offering similar services; qualified therapists will also be able to address any queries or concerns you may have regarding treatment.
Though further study is required to fully evaluate these treatments, preliminary evidence indicates they may be beneficial. Studies measuring outcomes such as mood disturbance, coping strategies, self-efficacy and quality of life show promise as indicators of effectiveness; anecdotal reports also support their efficacy for treating depression, fibromyalgia and fatigue symptoms.
Some alternative therapies are founded on theories that go against established science; others appeal to supernatural or superstitious beliefs; still others lack any plausible explanation of their efficacy; they do not follow standard research methods such as placebo-controlled trials and risk-benefit outcome probability calculations – resulting in potential negative impacts on your health and wellbeing.
Mind/body interventions
Mind/body interventions are a broad category of techniques that focus on how the body’s ability to influence physiological responses can have an effect on health. Rooted in Eastern healing traditions, mind/body interventions have proven helpful as adjunct modalities for various medical conditions; such as helping restore equilibrium between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity as well as improve immune, endocrine, and autonomic functioning – which all impact overall wellness.
Mind-body therapies provide an alternative to pharmaceutical medication and have been proven effective when used alongside more traditional approaches like surgery. Practices such as yoga, T’ai chi, breathing exercises, hypnosis, biofeedback have proven helpful for stress, anxiety, depression and pain reduction as well as improving quality of life for those living with chronic medical conditions.
Recent studies have suggested that some of the benefits of mind/body techniques may be linked to changes in neurobiological pathways that regulate stress, pain and psychopathology. More research needs to be conducted in order to isolate their exact mechanisms and which populations benefit most from specific mind/body interventions – this will lead to a more integrated model for mental health care that incorporates mind/body practices as part of overall mental health treatment plans.
Current models of mental health care do not adequately address the immense global burden of psychological disorders, which has been linked to physical issues like cardiovascular disease. Science is increasingly acknowledging how emotional, mental, and social influences directly impact physical wellbeing; mind/body therapies can serve as part of an integrative holistic approach that prioritizes emotional well-being as an essential element of physical well-being.
Though evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of mind/body techniques for improving psychological health, several barriers prevent their implementation into clinical practice. For example, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) receives only second lowest funding allocation among all National Institutes and Centers and currently hosts 462 active projects related to mind/body interventions (of which 19 involve NCCIH funding allocation). Due to lack of legislative support and funding allocation for this area of research it hinders development of targeted mind/body interventions that are both cost effective and targeted in nature.
