Alternative therapy encompasses everything from breathing exercises and needle acupuncture, to diet changes, herbal remedies, hypnosis and reflexology.
Alternative therapy is just one form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), along with diet-based approaches and energy therapies which aim to influence our physical well-being through invisible energies within us.
Ayurveda
Ayurved practices, dating back to ancient India, promote holistic approaches that focus on balancing body, mind and spirit to optimize health. Ayurved includes diet adjustments, herbs, massage, yoga and meditation as ways of accomplishing this balance; research indicates these methods may reduce stress levels while improving digestion; however, always consult your physician prior to trying a new wellness approach; Ayurved may interact with certain medications or cause side effects that could interfere with proper healing.
Ayurveda is founded on the idea that each individual possesses an energy pattern known as dosha that defines their unique energy profile. There are three dosha types – vata, pitta and kapha – each associated with different body traits or physical conditions. Vata types, for instance, tend to be creative and energetic when in balance while becoming fearful and scattered-brained when out of balance; typically these individuals tend to have smaller bones with delicate digestive systems and dry, sensitive skin.
Individuals out of balance may experience dosha imbalances that need to be corrected through diet and lifestyle modifications. Ayurved practitioners will help clients create a diet tailored specifically to their dosha type and symptoms; Ayurved therapies have been utilized successfully in treating numerous health issues including varicose veins, chronic headaches and fatigue syndromes, asthma and psoriasis.
Ayurved medicine involves purifying your body using teas, herbs, oil massages and other therapies to increase circulation and liver function, drawing out toxins from the system. Studies have proven that Ayurved treatments are highly effective at managing stress-induced inflammation and illness.
Ayurvedic practitioners can recommend specific herbs that help lower cortisol, the stress hormone. They can also teach relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation that can help manage stress effectively. By creating daily or seasonal living routines – like rising earlier to see sunrise and retiring earlier at night – to maintain balance within your body, such as rising early to see sunrise and going to bed earlier, Ayurved practitioners can assist in helping individuals lead healthier lives connected more closely to nature.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient mind-and-body practice combining physical postures, breath work, meditation and relaxation techniques. Yoga can help improve flexibility, strength and balance while relieving stress, anxiety, depression and increasing immunity – as well as improve emotional well-being and spiritual health. Yoga means the union or fusion of body mind spirit; therefore it makes an ideal exercise regimen for people suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or any chronic diseases, including fibromyalgia arthritis pain conditions as well as other forms of discomfort.
Yoga has proven itself an effective tool in relieving chronic pain and discomfort, such as backache and carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga may also ease discomfort associated with cancer, autoimmune disorders and other serious medical conditions – and many hospitals now provide medical yoga to their patients.
Yoga provides numerous physical benefits, such as increased strength and flexibility, reduced joint stiffness and better cardiovascular health. Yoga may also aid with weight loss by relieving symptoms associated with menstrual cramps and relieving low back pain, while increasing sleep quality, lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure and increasing immunity function.
Modern medicine has made tremendous advances in controlling communicable diseases, but non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for the vast majority of deaths worldwide. NCDs are mostly caused by lifestyle factors like smoking, sedentary habits, poor diets and chronic psychosocial stress – factors which yoga has been proven effective against. Yoga has proven an effective tool in fighting back against NCDs.
Yoga can provide psychological benefits as it increases self-esteem and self-confidence, improve mood and promote an optimistic view on life. Furthermore, yoga may act as an antidote against mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Medical yoga offers a safe, noninvasive alternative to traditional therapy that has the power to produce lasting changes in both physical and mental health. When combined with medication or other conventional therapies, such as breathing techniques or calming postures and meditation practices as part of treatment plans for anxiety, it may offer significant relief.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves using therapeutic-grade essential oils with chemical compounds derived from medicinal plants as part of complementary and alternative medicine practices, and studies demonstrate its benefits when inhaled or applied topically to the skin. When used aromatherapy can improve health and wellbeing.
Aromatherapy uses aromatic plant oils to reduce stress, enhance mood and promote relaxation. Some studies indicate aromatherapy’s efficacy for alleviating headaches, nausea and indigestion; additionally it may enhance massage therapy – in one such study cancer patients receiving aromatherapy massage reported less pain and anxiety after their session.
Aromatherapy oils include lavender, chamomile and rose as the three most popular choices; however there are numerous others. Aromatherapy oils may be inhaled or applied topically using carrier oils like coconut or jojoba; other forms can also be applied undiluted to the skin for inhalation and application. Certain varieties such as those high in phenol content or bergamot should be avoided by people with sensitive skin as these contain high concentrations of phenols; eyes and mucus membranes must also be kept clear of direct contact.
Aromatherapy may help relieve depression and anxiety by stimulating the brain through our olfactory system, which controls our sense of smell. When citrus oils were administered to depressed individuals in one study, they helped restore normal neuroendocrine hormone levels as well as improved immune function.
Research demonstrates the efficacy of aromatherapy for relieving arthritis symptoms by soothing sore muscles, relieving joint stiffness and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, aromatherapy has also been suggested as an effective means of treating insomnia, although not all research has been rigorous and results may only last temporarily.
Essential oils contain powerful antiseptic, antifungal and antioxidant properties that can be added to soaps, shampoos, mouthwash and tinctures for use as natural treatments for premenstrual syndrome and menopause symptoms by reducing cramps, balancing hormone levels in the body and increasing circulation. Studies suggest aromatherapy oils could also provide assistance by helping with cramps while simultaneously balancing hormonal levels and improving circulation.
Aromatherapy has long been practiced as part of holistic medicine in various cultures. As part of holistic treatment plans, aromatherapy may be combined with other forms of therapy like acupuncture or chiropractic for optimal results. According to NCCAM recommendations, those wanting to try aromatherapy should first consult with a certified aromatherapist, who should advise them about safety concerns as well as recommended uses of specific oils.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic therapy is an alternative therapy that uses manual adjustment and manipulation of joints in the body to treat musculoskeletal pain; however, it can also help treat headaches and digestive problems. Many who undergo chiropractic treatments for musculoskeletal issues also find that other ailments improve as a result.
Chiropractic therapy based on the belief that human bodies can heal themselves naturally is founded on an assumption of self-sustain and healing abilities of their own bodies, with emphasis on proper spinal alignment as essential to optimal function and pain relief. Chiropractic’s goal is to reduce drug dependency and increase quality of life while alleviating any potential discomfort that might otherwise require medical interventions such as surgeries and drugs.
Chiropractors use chiropractic techniques, which come from two Greek words — cheir (hand) and praxis (action). Chiropractors’ services often get misconstrued as only providing back or neck pain therapy, yet in reality encompass much more benefits than that. Before making an appointment, it’s essential that you fully comprehend all that chiropractors provide before scheduling an appointment.
Proper alignment of your spine and other joints can reduce inflammation, helping your body fight infections more effectively. Chiropractic treatments also boost your immunity by reducing stress hormones that interfere with immune function.
Chiropractic therapy has also been shown to aid digestion issues such as GERD, constipation and bloating by relieving pressure build-up in the abdominal region and negatively affecting digestion. Chiropractic BioPhysics can relieve this pressure while encouraging regular bowel movements for healthy digestive health.
Chiropractic therapy can also increase energy levels by improving circulation throughout your body and providing your muscles with adequate oxygen and nutrients to work more efficiently, thus decreasing fatigue. Furthermore, chiropractic can increase concentration by relieving tension in your neck and spine.
Chiropractic can also help to lower blood pressure and improve heart health by relieving stress caused by misalignments of spinal cord and nerves, thus helping prevent strokes or heart attacks from happening. Furthermore, regular chiropractic visits may reduce how often you visit doctors or health centers for checkups or appointments.
