Alternative therapies may be used alongside or as an alternative to traditional medical techniques, including diet therapy, herbal remedies and massage therapy. Ayurveda uses specific herbs and massage techniques to promote healing.
Table 3 illustrates that from 1990 to 1997, respondents who reported both consulting a medical doctor for their primary condition as well as using alternative therapies more frequently increased significantly.
Reiki
Reiki is a spiritual energy healing technique that employs gentle touch to promote relaxation, ease anxiety and reduce stress levels. Reiki may also reduce side effects from certain medical treatments. Used both as an alternative therapy and complementing traditional care, Reiki may benefit patients suffering from mild to serious health concerns.
Reiki practitioners believe that all living things contain life force energy called “ki.” If this flow becomes disrupted, health issues may result. Reiki is an alternative healing approach which can restore it.
Reiki as a holistic form of treatment has its critics. Skeptics believe the practice is unscientific; however, there is growing evidence to support its benefits: pain reduction, anxiety relief and depression prevention have been demonstrated through its use. Reiki sessions may even help cancer patients manage symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and anxiety more effectively with regular practice; according to Integrative Cancer Therapy Journal research published earlier this year, consecutive reiki sessions reduced these symptoms with multiple sessions leading to significant improvement.
Studies have demonstrated that Reiki can enhance the effectiveness of some medications while decreasing side effects. Reiki therapy also serves as an effective method to manage pain in chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.
Reiki sessions take place in a calm room with the patient fully attired. A practitioner will place their hands over any affected areas and follow energy flows; treatment can focus on specific parts or the entire body; many have reported relief from various illnesses like headaches or stomachaches with its help, as well as being effective against postoperative and chemotherapy pain management.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves stimulating specific points on your body with hair-thin needles to promote natural painkillers produced by your body and relieve discomfort and anxiety. Acupuncture treatments have become increasingly popular and may even be covered by your insurance plan; contact your insurance provider to see which coverage options may exist.
Acupuncture is founded on the idea that energy known as Qi (pronounced Chee) travels along pathways known as meridians, and an acupuncturist uses needles placed along these meridians to balance its flow and promote healing within your body. You may feel a slight pinch when receiving needles from an acupuncturist – these needles are thinner than medical needles so may not cause as much pain during their insertion.
Studies have proven the benefits of acupuncture therapy for a range of conditions. Here are some advantages you could enjoy from it:
1. Analgesia Acupuncture creates controlled injuries that activate your body’s natural healing responses, including pain modulation. Furthermore, acupuncture increases serotonin and GABA production to help promote better sleep quality. 2. Stress and Anxiety Reliever Similarly acupuncture may help relieve both tension and anxiety by producing “controlled injuries”.
3. Migraine
Acupuncture can help over 40 million Americans who suffer from migraines reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes, by stimulating release of feel-good hormones and decreasing inflammation in the brain. Acupuncture also enhances white blood cell activity which regulates your immune system.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is an ancient art that involves manipulating muscles and soft tissue to relieve pain, reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Therapeutic massage may be used for many conditions including backaches, headaches, asthma and arthritis as well as sleep disorders and depression. Studies indicate it can also help with muscle and joint flexibility improvements as well as reduce accidents/injuries and enhance athletic performance – not forgetting encouraging blood circulation which allows oxygen and nutrients to reach all parts of the body more quickly while flushing out waste products such as carbon dioxide or toxins from leaving body tissues more efficiently than ever before!
Studies demonstrate the power of massage to relieve stress and enhance mood by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. One research project revealed that just 10 minutes of massage significantly reduced anxiety levels among those living with cancer or chronic back pain; another study concluded that 10-minute sessions reduced these feelings further still; it may even reduce symptoms of depression or fibromyalgia in some people, improve quality sleep in adults suffering from either, breast cancer patients as well as children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; it may even help those suffering arthritic joint pain by increasing circulation through increased joint circulation to ease pain relief.
Although studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of massage, it should not be done on areas with recent injuries such as recent cuts or blood clots or broken bones, or where there is recent swelling from fractures or blood clots. Furthermore, massage is not advised for individuals suffering from certain health conditions like cardiovascular disease or bleeding disorders.
Ayurveda
Ayurved medicine is one of the world’s oldest holistic health care systems, employing lifestyle modifications and herbal medicines to promote physical and spiritual wellbeing. Ayurved emphasizes maintaining strong connections to nature; although this treatment cannot cure diseases like cancer or heart disease directly, ayurved therapies may help manage symptoms associated with them.
A key tenet of Ayurved healing is that all physical ailments result from imbalances within our energy forces, or doshas. Vata represents movement; pitta metabolism; and kapha provides structure and lubrication of cells – each person’s constitution is defined by this combination of energies. Ayurvedic practitioners also believe that one’s mental and emotional state can impact physical wellbeing.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health lists many conditions ayurved treatment can help manage, including diabetes, skin conditions, digestive problems, fertility and women’s health concerns, fatigue syndromes and mental health concerns. However, it warns against purchasing products not rigorously tested for safety; such products could contain heavy metals like lead and mercury which may pose potential health risks.
Note that Ayurvedic herbs and supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so they shouldn’t be used as replacement or postponement to standard medical care. In fact, certain herbal preparations may have significant ramifications on one’s body if consumed in large doses.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that adaptogens like ashwagandha can act as powerful remedies against stress and anxiety, helping your body respond more positively and experience improved restful sleep quality than those who don’t take these herbs. Studies have also demonstrated this benefit compared to non-users. Taking these herbs can make people feel more energetic while improving sleep quality compared to non-takers.
Meditation
Meditation has its origins in ancient philosophies and various world religions, yet anyone can practice. Meditation has gained increasing popularity as people realize its many mental and physical health benefits – these include reduced blood pressure, greater pain tolerance and an overall positive outlook.
Start meditation by sitting comfortably and focusing on your breathing, returning whenever your thoughts wander to focusing on breathing again. Some forms of meditation include visual imagery while others involve repeating a word or phrase to help focus the mind. As a beginner, start with 10 minutes and build up to 30 or 40.
Long-term meditators have been shown to possess increased gray matter in their brain, possibly linked to changes in its ability to manage emotions and thoughts. Meditation has also been associated with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals which could help alleviate depression and anxiety.
Studies demonstrate the efficacy of meditation for treating depression and chronic pain; however, more research needs to be conducted in order to isolate its effects from any other factors that might influence wellbeing, such as beliefs or motivations of a person.
Meditation can be used as part of treatment for people suffering from substance use disorders. Meditation has been found to support abstinence from drugs or alcohol while creating a sense of calm and presence, decreasing cravings and risk. It has even been proven effective at decreasing stress.
Meditation may seem like an individual endeavor, but guided meditation is an increasingly popular technique used in counseling, therapy and group support services. Led by a certified therapist, guided meditation sessions may take place either individually or within small groups.