Traditional western medicine (TWM) focuses on treating disease through medical procedures, drugs and lifestyle modifications; also referred to as allopathy or mainstream medicine.
Alternative therapies are forms of healthcare treatments which fall outside the purview of conventional medical practices, and could include naturopathy, homeopathy or acupuncture – but many such practices don’t have strong scientific backing.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda (yur veda), often translated to as the “science of life”, is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, dating back over 5,000 years to India. Based on a philosophy that health and wellbeing depend on balance among body, mind, and spirit; illness occurs when energy systems become imbalanced resulting in illness that can be corrected with diet changes, herbal remedies, or exercise programs.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that every person has a distinct energy pattern or constitution based on genetics, birthdate, environment and emotions that determines food and herbs that are good for you, your emotional strengths and weaknesses as well as suitable exercises. Your energy pattern determines your natural state of being and influences everything from what types of exercise might work best to which foods you should avoid eating or drink to choosing yoga as part of a workout program.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, all humans are composed of five basic elements found in nature: space, air, fire, water and earth. When these five elements come together inside our bodies as three energy patterns known as doshas — vata (space and air), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (water and earth) — imbalance occurs and illness ensues. An ayurvedic practitioner can assist in finding balance through diet, stress management techniques, exercises or herbs that balance these energies.
Although ayurved medicine has not been extensively researched, some studies have demonstrated its potential benefits in improving symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It should not be seen as an alternative for standard medical care; especially if you have serious health conditions or are taking prescription medicines. It’s also essential that all healthcare providers be made aware of any complementary or integrative practices you employ.
Ayurved treatments consist of massage, diet counseling and the use of herbs and metals in Ayurved medicine treatments. While some are regulated as dietary supplements in the US, others could contain potentially dangerous ingredients. Before trying any ayurved medicine make sure your practitioner is licensed and certified; herbal medications contain toxins which could pose risks if not taken appropriately; it’s also important to inform healthcare providers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is an alternative medicine practice that emphasizes treating patients as whole beings. Homeopaths recognize that illness and pain stem from imbalances between mind, body and spirit. Homeopathic practitioners administer small doses of herbs, minerals or animal products in order to stimulate immunity systems and assist their patients’ natural healing processes.
Numerous conventional physicians remain skeptical of homeopathy; however, evidence supporting its claims continues to grow. According to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, over 5 million Americans use homeopathic treatments regularly; it’s wise to consult a doctor before beginning any holistic therapy regimes.
Homeopathy differs from traditional western medicine in its ability to address root causes rather than just treating symptoms, making patients responsible for their own healing and more likely to pursue healthy habits in future. Holistic medicine also ensures all body systems are functioning efficiently.
Homeopathic treatments are composed of plant material (such as red onion, stinging nettle, belladonna (deadly nightshade) and white arsenic) or minerals such as medicinal mushrooms or crushed whole bees diluted in water or alcohol then shaken – this process is known as potentization – so as to dilute out all trace molecules of their original substance; even with low doses homeopathy has an enormously positive impact on immune systems allowing it to treat chronic conditions effectively.
Modern medicine professionals use sophisticated diagnostic tools, but holistic medicine practitioners have an advantage when it comes to seeing the whole picture in regards to their patients. This enables them to more thoroughly comprehend how someone feels and address all potential contributing factors; such as emotional difficulties or poor sleep quality contributing to an illness such as headache. By taking all this into consideration, holistic physicians can craft more effective treatment plans which will make their patient feel better more quickly.
Reflexology
Reflexology is an holistic therapy which uses pressure applied to specific reflex points on feet, hands, and ears in order to manage pain and encourage self-healing. Originating in Egypt, India, and China it spread west in the early 1900s. William Fitzgerald introduced reflexology with his concept of “zone therapy,” where specific reflex areas on hands and feet correspond with organs and systems within the body. Eunice Ingham helped promote reflexology during her career in the 1930s. Reflexologists believe that congestion or tension in reflex areas mimicked physical ailments in their respective parts. Reflexologists use pressure applied to various reflex areas to treat ailments; heel pressure may help relieve lower back pain while toe pressure can relieve headaches. Reflexology shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for conventional medical treatment but instead serve as an effective complementary therapy which enhances wellness while alleviating stress.
Reflexologists use holistic practices, taking into account every aspect of a client’s life when treating reflexology clients. Reflexologists may use other healing modalities like aromatherapy or music as supplements to their work. Reflexology has been shown to enhance sleep patterns and mental wellbeing; relax muscles; reduce symptoms associated with arthritis or fibromyalgia; ease chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia symptoms and even help alleviate nausea and vomiting for cancer patients as an adjunctive therapy; improve sleep. Reflexology also assists cancer patients who require relief in pain management while treating cancer patients as complementary therapy.
Reflexology may help reduce some of the side effects of cancer treatment and its treatments, such as pain relief and improved blood circulation; and boost immunity. Before opting for reflexology while undergoing cancer therapy, however, consult your reflexologist first; certain areas may not be suitable for this form of therapy.
Reflexology can also aid digestion issues, particularly constipation. By stimulating reflex points on the feet that correspond to digestive organs and massaging these points to relieve digestive pain signals and release endorphins – our bodies’ natural painkillers. Furthermore, reflexology may also help balance hormones in women by targeting reflex points corresponding to their endocrine systems and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient mind and body practice combining movements, breathing techniques, and meditation. Yoga often forms part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), alongside therapies like herbs or acupuncture; all of these practices fall outside mainstream medical treatments but may help promote overall wellness while managing symptoms for specific illnesses.
Studies have demonstrated the many health benefits of yoga, including stress reduction, balance improvement, flexibility increase and strength increase. Yoga may also help enhance mental wellbeing as well as weight loss. Yoga has been used to ease back pain as well as aid people suffering from arthritis, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression or anxiety; furthermore there may be evidence suggesting it can help prevent heart disease by decreasing blood pressure.
Studies suggest that yoga may help people living with arthritis improve their quality of life and decrease pain from knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, increase muscle function and decrease fatigue for multiple sclerosis patients, lower systolic blood pressure in some people and help alleviate anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with difficult life situations as well as aiding people quit smoking.
Yoga practice has steadily been on the rise over recent years; however, its use remains relatively limited; only 9.5% of U.S adults practiced it in 2012. Since complementary and alternative medicine can have potentially negative side effects, it is always wise to consult your physician prior to engaging in any new techniques or approaches.
There are various styles of yoga, each with its own philosophy and techniques. While some forms are physically demanding and may involve chanting and meditation, others such as Hatha yoga focus more on strength, balance, and flexibility. Vinyasa yoga, for instance, involves flowing from one pose to the next while increasing heart rate and body temperature. Kundalini yoga focuses on increasing “life force energy”, or prana, through breathing exercises, chanting and meditation; research has also indicated that it can help people feel connected socially, and can reduce feelings of loneliness – particularly helpful for those living alone or having limited support structures.
