A List of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
Alternative therapies refer to treatments which stand in opposition to mainstream medicine; however, most complementary medicines have not undergone rigorous clinical testing.
Complementary health approaches such as acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, massage therapy, herbal medicine and Reiki may also be utilized alongside medical treatment.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient holistic healing system, with roots dating back over 5,000 years ago. This approach relies on diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicines and massage therapies to promote and protect overall wellness and prevent disease. Furthermore, Ayurveda teaches mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and enhance focus – not an effective cure for cancer but it may be beneficial in managing symptoms while building immunity and immunity systems.
Ayuvedic therapy encompasses diet and lifestyle modifications, herbal treatments, yoga, massage and breathing exercises. Ayuveda’s benefits include reduced stress and anxiety levels, improved digestion and greater energy and stamina levels. It may even treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis while helping lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels – before beginning any ayurvedic practices it’s wise to speak to your healthcare provider first as some practices may interfere with medications you are currently taking or interact negatively.
Britannica reports that Ayurveda dates back over 5,000 years. Its roots can be found in Hindu systems of philosophy such as vaisheshika (which holds that all matter is composed of earth, water, fire, and air elements), Nyaya (a school of logic), and Samkhya (which acknowledges both body and spirit as one entity).
Ayurvedic medicine can serve as an alternative therapy, and can even be combined with conventional treatments like chemotherapy. Ayurved practice has also proven helpful for people living with chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease or asthma who require reduced stress levels and improved immunity; Ayurved practice may also assist those suffering behavioral and digestive disorders associated with ADHD who require medication reduction – and is safe to be administered by experienced practitioners.
Yoga
Yoga is a comprehensive system of exercises, breathing exercises and meditation designed to promote physical fitness, mental wellness and overall wellness. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in India as one of the oldest healing arts – it has proven its worth treating a range of conditions from mental stress, cholesterol profiles and blood pressure to anxiety reduction and increased relaxation and self-esteem.
Some medical practitioners are now prescribing yoga to their patients to prevent or treat various conditions, including chronic back pain and arthritis. Yoga improves strength and flexibility while helping manage symptoms more effectively; additionally it speeds the recovery process following injuries or surgeries.
Studies demonstrate the many other health advantages yoga provides, such as weight loss, improved mood and decreased inflammation. Furthermore, yoga helps promote heart health while strengthening immune responses; increasing brain functions associated with memory recall and awareness as well as altering its structure to ease anxiety, depression or anger reduction are other notable outcomes of practicing this ancient discipline.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of yoga for treating several chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and joint stiffness and tension caused by arthritis. Furthermore, yoga has proven itself effective at improving quality of life for those living with cancer by relieving fatigue and increasing walking ability; additionally it can aid in posture correction for rheumatoid arthritis patients to alleviate joint stiffness and tension and ease joint stiffness and tension; finally it also serves to strengthen bones by increasing bone density while simultaneously improving muscle strength – two factors which contribute towards osteoporosis prevention!
Meditation
Meditation is an ancient mind and body practice used for relaxation and managing stress and pain relief, relieving depression symptoms, helping with sleep disorders and slowing the aging process. Meditation can be done solo or with others and there are numerous types of meditation practices.
What type of meditation works for you depends on your goals and preferences, for instance; some people prefer quiet and serene places while others find it easier in group settings. The Cleveland Clinic advises researching meditation practices as well as consulting your primary care or mental health provider for guidance in choosing an approach.
Meditation has long been used in clinical settings as a way of helping chronic illness patients cope with psychological distress, often seen as an accompanying side effect of treatment. Meditation can also be combined with traditional treatments like talk therapy and medication; one study of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment showed that meditation significantly reduced depression, anxiety and pain levels compared with control groups.
Meditation offers multiple benefits, including stress reduction and concentration augmentation. Studies have also demonstrated its ability to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as improve medical treatment adherence; additionally it may assist insomniacs, depressed individuals, as well as those living with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Meditation can provide relief from stress, depression and anxiety while improving sleep, memory and concentration abilities, increasing immunity function and decreasing blood pressure – while alleviating aches and pains without resorting to medication.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a relaxing state in which individuals become less aware of their environment and more open to suggestions from therapists. When receiving hypnotherapy sessions, your therapist may give suggestions designed to alter unhelpful beliefs or habits or alleviate discomfort such as pain or fear by moving you toward relaxation and confidence instead. Hypnotherapy should not be seen as synonymous with talk therapy (counseling or talking treatment).
Research on the uses and benefits of hypnosis/hypnotherapy are limited, yet an increasing number of those who utilize its services report finding it beneficial. Hypnosis may help ease anxiety and pain associated with surgery or dental procedures as well as ease symptoms from certain gastrointestinal disorders like IBS/fibromyalgia; additionally it may assist with behavioral issues like smoking and nail biting as well as menopausal hot flashes.
Clinical studies indicate that hypnosis may significantly decrease the amount of painkiller prescribed after surgery and shorten recovery time for medical or dental procedures, improving patient satisfaction with experience overall. It may even increase pain threshold, making coping with conditions such as burns or cancer treatments easier for them.
Hypnosis can be an invaluable addition to conventional medical care when applied appropriately and under the guidance of an experienced hypnotherapist. However, it’s essential that any hypnotherapy you pursue be reported back to your physician so they can assist in making the appropriate decisions about the suitability and coordination between approaches taken by both.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and accelerate natural healing. Acupuncture forms an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, which maintains that health exists as an equilibrium between opposing forces (yin and yang).
Scientific research indicates that acupuncture may stimulate the release of natural substances like endorphins, immune system cells and neurotransmitters that help control pain by altering how your brain processes pain signals and improving physical wellbeing. Acupuncture also has anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits and has become a popular treatment for back, neck and knee pain as well as headaches (including migraines), menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness as well as digestive disorders like IBS or Bell’s Palsy pain or depression.
Importantly, it should be emphasized that acupuncture is an extremely powerful and drug-free treatment, yet its full effect may take time to manifest. While some patients feel better after only a few treatments, others require multiple sessions before experiencing results. Acupuncture works best when combined with other wellness practices like diet or yoga exercises for maximum effect.
Additionally, acupuncture practitioners may provide additional holistic techniques such as herbal medicine or massage therapy that can boost the effectiveness of each session.
An acupuncturist might offer clients nutritional suggestions or provide herbs in pill form* (please check with your physician prior to taking herbal supplements to ensure they won’t interfere with any medications you’re already on). Acupuncture is one form of traditional Chinese medicine, often combined with chiropractic care or massage treatments in multidisciplinary environments like physical therapy offices.