Alternative therapy encompasses practices not considered standard medical care. Examples include acupuncture, relaxation techniques and herbal remedies.
Jessie and Kellie, nursing sisters who grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, established Alternative Therapy MD in Easton. Their business offers customized wellness and aesthetic medi-spa services tailored specifically for clients’ internal health.
Mind-Body Connection
Mind-body interaction is a two-way street that impacts both mental and physical wellbeing of an individual. If you are nervous about giving a presentation, your stomach might churn and sweat become an indicator that signals are being sent from body to brain; these signals could prompt release of chemicals which boost mood, alleviate stress and promote physical well-being. Regular physical activity like brisk walks or intensive workouts also allows the connection between mind and body to strengthen further.
Mind-body therapies encompass a range of techniques such as relaxation techniques, yoga, guided imagery and meditation techniques, hypnosis, biofeedback and energy healing. Mind-body therapies may be used alongside or instead of conventional medical care to provide complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) solutions.
Reducing inflammation, strengthening immunity and alleviating pain are among the many advantages offered by alternative medicine practices. They may even help with depression and anxiety – although not suitable for all conditions; those with specific health concerns should only use them under medical advice.
Mind-body techniques are noninvasive practices that can be combined with other therapies to achieve improved results. Patients suffering from extreme stress could potentially reap the rewards of mind-body techniques by lowering cortisol levels and improving sleep. Other health conditions that could benefit include chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, insomnia and fatigue.
As it can lead to numerous health issues, it is crucial that one recognizes when their mind-body connection has become imbalanced. Signs of such imbalance include unexplained physical symptoms, emotional and psychological disturbances and an inability to adapt to change.
Mind-body therapies are increasingly utilized, often without professional guidance, for various ailments. While their use may be under or over utilized depending on the individual patient’s circumstances, this puts patients at risk of harm from these practices. Clinicians can assist their patients by continuing to inquire into the use of such practices while creating realistic expectations of the benefits offered by these approaches, and by referring them when necessary to qualified practitioners.
Stress Management
Stress is a significant contributor to many health conditions. Prolonged stress reduces immune function, making it harder for the body to fight infections or speed healing from injuries or surgeries, alters brain chemistry (reducin serotonin levels and leading to anxiety or depression), and alters behavior and mental patterns which in turn exacerbate stress by altering behavior or altering mental patterns in ways which exacerbate stress further.
Stress relief options abound; alternative therapies include diet and lifestyle modifications as well as relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga and acupuncture. Combinations of these techniques tend to work best. Some alternative practices may not be safe or effective for everyone so it is always advisable to speak to your physician prior to engaging any alternative therapies.
Alternative therapies can be broken down into four main categories: nutritional, physiological, physical and mind-body therapies. Nutritional alternatives might include supplements, herbs or diets designed to reduce inflammation. Detoxification programs that incorporate healthy eating plans with regular physical activity are another great way to combat inflammation while simultaneously improving mood.
Physiological alternative therapies include herbal remedies, dietary supplements and massage. Ashwagandha is one such herb which is proven to regulate cortisol and increase energy levels while treating conditions like fibromyalgia by decreasing pain and improving sleep quality. Physical therapies like yoga, acupuncture and massages may have an impactful mind-body connection and alleviate stress.
Functional medicine has grown increasingly popular as more people grow frustrated with conventional medicine. Functional medicine seeks to identify the source of your symptoms rather than labelling disease and prescribing pills; although the two approaches differ considerably, they can co-exist effectively to create an holistic wellness plan. A functional medicine practitioner may suggest alternative therapies or changes such as diet or lifestyle to alleviate your symptoms.
Relaxation
Stress is one of the leading causes of physical and mental health issues, so relaxation techniques are often employed as a solution. Different therapies claim to achieve this aim, including meditation, autogenic relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, massage therapy and progressive muscle relaxation. Complimentary health specialists and mental health practitioners typically teach relaxation techniques like these, but you can learn them on your own too. If a particular relaxation technique causes emotional discomfort it’s wiser to discontinue and consult a healthcare provider about potential alternatives.
Relaxation is an art that requires practice to master. Begin your relaxation training in an idyllic location such as your home or office before expanding it outwards – eventually you should be able to unwind anywhere, including while on the move. Relaxation techniques not only promote better sleep and reduce pain levels, but they can also speed healing for illnesses or injuries quicker.
Studies demonstrate the relaxation response can help lower cortisol levels, leading to decreased somatic and subjective stress responses – helping you cope more easily with both acute and chronic illnesses.
Additionally, relaxation has proven itself both short- and long-term beneficial; studies have demonstrated its effect on increasing brain cortical thickness as well as altering gene expression patterns. These findings are encouraging; further studies should help verify these beneficial results of relaxation.
Although some alternative therapies, like hypnotherapy, have been scientifically verified as being beneficial, many others have not been. Some have theories that contradict established medical understanding; others rely on superstition or supernatural forces; still others don’t adhere to rigorous research protocols. It is wise to consult your physician prior to engaging any alternative therapies since doing so could interfere with or even be dangerous for treatment plans.
Traditional medicine and complementary and alternative therapies may be recommended together to treat certain ailments, for instance acupuncture for relieving muscle-skeletal pain relief and psychotherapy as part of CBT programs for anxiety and depression are two examples. Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy techniques may also assist patients in managing pain management; therapies like osteopaths can incorporate relaxation strategies into their practices.
Pain Management
Pain management encompasses various treatments. To effectively address pain, individuals should collaborate with their physicians when seeking relief, particularly since this can involve complex drugs and procedures which may have serious side effects. A typical pain management visit typically begins with taking a detailed history and physical exam from their physician before ordering diagnostic or imaging studies like X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nerve conduction studies as needed.
Pain management aims to decrease discomfort and enhance quality of life for people suffering chronic illnesses or injuries. Pain is a universal experience, impacting almost everyone at some point during their lives from mild headaches to debilitating backache or arthritis. A multifaceted approach called “pain management” may involve medication, physical therapy, relaxation techniques, psychological treatment as well as alternative forms of therapy to tailor each approach specifically for each individual patient’s unique situation.
Alternative medicine therapies have long been practiced and widely utilized by traditional practitioners; however, more research needs to be conducted into their safety and efficacy. While acupuncture and herbal remedies have been demonstrated as being effective therapies, others such as homeopathy or Reiki remain unknown despite having followed scientific methods which require responsible clinical trials to test efficacy and produce repeatable evidence.
As opposed to traditional medicine, which merely treats symptoms without seeking to understand why someone has them, functional medicine considers the entire body and attempts to determine why someone has an illness or disease rather than simply labelling and prescribing medications for it.
Functional medicine doctors offer various over-the-counter and prescription medications, in addition to psychotherapists for mental health care and physical therapists for physical pain management, to treat various conditions. Additionally, they may refer patients for psychotherapy sessions or physical pain management by referral from physical therapists or psychotherapists.
