Alternative Medicine

Background

Alternative medicine may be defined as "any form of healing procedure that is not classified as that of conventional medicine." The following represent a selection of methods that would normally be classified as alternative medicine:

Naturopathy. It emphasises the body's inbuilt ability to heal and maintain itself. Such practice focuses on a holistic, which views physical and mental aspects of life as closely interconnected, approach to patient care, and may recommend patients use conventional medicine alongside their alternative treatments.

Chiropractice. It relates to body parts that are linked to movement. Manipulation of spinal and other joint and soft tissues areas is achieved using extensive massage techniques. It may also include exercises together with health and lifestyle counseling.

Herbalism. It is known by alternative names, such as botanical medicine and herbal medicine. It relies on the extensive use of plants and plant extracts. Use is sometimes made of various fungi and even the products of the humble bee, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary therapy are the ingredients of this application. Ayurveda is the oldest of the six recognized systems of medicine used in India. It is used by countless people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is widely considered to be the oldest system of medicine known today.

Meditation. This eastern technique has been adapted and increasingly practiced in the west, and generates an achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.

Yoga. It refers to those practices, originating in India, which generate a feeling of well being and at peace with the world.

Biofeedback. It involves analysing the efficiency of certain organs in the body and relaying this information to the patient. Typically, measurements are taken of blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, activity of the sweat glands, and muscle tension. This will raise the patient's awareness of how well, or otherwise, these vital functions are performing.

Hypnosis. When placed in a hypnotic state, this may also help certain desired changes in the body. As a result, it has been successfully used as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, and as an alternative to traditional anesthetics. In certain procedures, it can act as a means of pacifying some skin ailments.

Body-works. It is a term to describe a wider understanding of the body brought about by actual physical contact. This may involve some form of energetic activity or a massage of the body or indeed any form of healing process.

Homeopathy. It has been suggested that a person with an illness can be treated in such a way that the remedies produce, in others, similar symptoms. The process involves diluting the remedy each time it is taken, until a point is reached when it is indistinguishable from pure water. At each dilution, the toxic effects are removed.

Alternatives - How To Succeed