Alternative medicine was once perhaps given a wide berth by the sceptics but today over 600 million people pay visits to those offering alternative treatments and remedies.

What Benefit does Alternative Medicine Have?

Most alternative treatments are based on the use of herbs, oils and massage so it’s perfectly safe and for thousands of people it has been proven to work time and time again. There are a vast array of different types and treatments available from minor illnesses through to those more severe, some people even suffering life threatening illnesses have benefited from some types of alternative medicine where conventional treatments have failed.

Different Types of Alternative Therapy Used

Listed below are some of the types of alternative treatments and therapies available:

Acupuncture -

Acupuncture treatment is not only the insertion of fine needles into the “points” on the body but also the detection of disharmony within the body. This is assessed by a series of questions on the person’s lifestyle and emotions.

Acupressure -

Originating from the Chinese Taoist monks acupressure is similar to acupuncture but without the use of needles, instead finger pressure is applied to the “points”.

Aromatherapy -

Essential oils taken from plants are used in this treatment which can take the form of massage or inhalation. It is thought to be especially beneficial for those suffering from stress related illnesses.

Ayurvedic medicine -

This type of treatment stems back from India and is a complete system of exercise, diet and detoxification of the entire body.

Chiropractic -

Chiropractic treatment works mainly for those suffering from joint problems and is performed along the spine by adjusting joints.

Chinese Herbal Remedies -

There is a vast range of herbs used in treatment which the Chinese have used for thousands of years and are capable of treating a wide variety of illnesses.

According to the Ayurvedic system there is no single cause for an illness every aspect of a person’s life contributes and all people are born in a state of equipoise but either through bad diet, not taking care of themselves or living in a location that is not best suitable for them they lose it.

The easiest way of maintaining this state is by keeping a careful eye on the diet, there are general simple guidelines to follow such as always eating hot food in cold weather e.t.c however more serious illnesses need the attention of an Ayurvedic physician.

What Is Ayurvedic Medicine?

Ayurvedic medicine is based on “Doshas” these relate to the seven tissues of the body, balance of the mind and sense are as equally important. The “Pitta Dosha” takes care of all the biochemical and physical changes that occur within our body, this is where all food that is eaten is transformed into energy and vitality; this relies on “digestive fire”. Eating the wrong foods i.e. spicy hot foods is said to cause an imbalance with Pitta Dosha as can living in a hot climate.

Doshas govern the body’s biological clock and the maximum time of activity for “kapha Dosha” is early morning and evening. Mid day and midnight is the time when the “Pitta period” is most active and this is thought to be why diseases such as ulcers may cause discomfort more at night time. After food is eaten it then passes through various stages of digestion each of these stages is related to a particular “Dosha”.

To completely digest a meal takes around 6 to 8 hours and for around two and a half hours the “Kapha Dosha” is the one that is most dominant as this is related to the stomach. Around two and a half hours later the “Pitta Dosha” takes over as this is linked with the small intestine where bile is at work. The digestion process is completed in the colon and this is linked to “vata Dosha”.

Our seasons are said to have an affect on the “Dosha” and can on occasion have an effect on us for example when it is hot in the summer it can have an adverse effect on the “Pitta” and this is when ailments such as hot flushes, sunburn and exhaustion are thought to occur.

Autumn is usually dry, cold and windy and affects the “vata Dosha” this is when we get problems with our joints such as aches and pains, and we may be more prone to anxiety. Winter causes problems such as coughs, colds and sinus problems this is due to problems with “Kapha Dosha”. Spring is the time when most people suffer from allergies and respiratory ailments and the “Kapha Dosha” is again related to these.

What illnesses or Ailments can Chinese Herbs be used for?

There are a multitude of ailments and illness for which Chinese herbs may be used, the length of treatment will depend entirely on the person and the stage or severity of there illness.

The beauty of Chinese medicine is that it can be used on people of any age and with adjustments for the amount consumed it can be used for children and even pregnant women. The herbs are available to be taken in many different ways but the most commonly used method is boiling dried herbs to make a tea for drinking.

The Herbs

Alfalfa has been commonly used by the Chinese as a treatment for kidney stones and to aid the relief of swelling and fluid retention, alfalfa is also well known for its cleansing merits and will aid the digestive, glandular and systems.

Angelica Root can help with problems due to respiratory disease and also problems with the digestive system.

Bilberry is beneficial for the eyes particularly for eyestrain and glaucoma; it is also used in the treatment of thinning the blood.

Black Walnut hulls hold a substance which helps to rid the body of parasites and is also commonly used in the treatment of ringworm and other skin problems.

Burdock is a natural aid in the cleansing and detoxification of the body it is particularly useful for those suffering skin ailments and is used to help bring relief to joints. Burdock can also be used to treat respiratory infections.

Catnip is an excellent remedy for the nervous system with its calming properties; it is also used in treatment of the digestive system. It is also thought to help relieve symptoms of colds and flu.

Chamomile is perhaps best known in the tea form it will relieve symptoms relating to the stomach and nervous system and also will help relieve menstrual discomfort.

Comfrey is thought to be one of natures greatest all round healers; it is excellent for strengthening the respiratory system.

Dandelion is one of the herbs used in medicine that everyone has heard of and is commonly used purifying the blood, it also used for problems occurring with the circulatory system.

Echinacea is said to boost the nervous system and is also useful in the treatment of respiratory infections.

Garlic is another well known treatment used to help maintain a healthy blood pressure and boost the body’s ability to resist illness. It is also mother natures antibiotic.

Ginseng naturally boosts the immune and circulatory systems.

Hops are a natural remedy for insomnia and will also give a boost to the nervous system. It is also considered to help in the aid of relaxation.

Licorice is known for it’s powerful expectorant properties and as such aids the respiratory system. It also is similar to cortisone and helps the body cope with stress.

Peppermint holds the ability to calm nerves and also the stomach.

Safflower is used to aid the respiratory system and is particularly useful in assisting easier removal of phlegm.

Thyme holds powerful antiseptic properties and is also used as an all round general tonic and particularly useful for anaemia and bronchial ailments.

White Oak is said to aid in the strengthening of injured areas of the body and has powerful astringent properties it will also soothe a sore throat.

Yellow Dock Root is particularly noted for its high content of iron and so will help in purifying the blood; it will also help with gallbladder and liver problems.

Crystals are thought to work alongside our body’s “chakras” these are seven points in our body or “energy centres” that start at the head and align throughout the body down to the pubic bone. Each has a specific name and is associated with a certain part of the body.

Certain crystals are thought to work with these “chakra” points in the healing process when the crystal is placed on a certain chakra point. Rubies, garnet, onyx and bloodstone correspond to the root chakra.

Hematite, moonstone and carnelian work with the sacral chakra, Citrine, amber and topaz work alongside the solar plexus chakra, rose quartz and Chinese fluorite correspond to the heart chakra, aquamarine and turquoise work with the throat chakra, sapphire, turquoise and amethyst work alongside the forehead chakra and clear quartz and amethyst work with the crown chakra.

The Crystals and There Healing Properties

Jasper more commonly known as Bloodstone is claimed to posses healing properties that strengthen the blood cells and improve the flow of oxygen in the blood stream. It is said to restore vitality to both the body and mind and is excellent if you are feeling run down. It is also thought to have the ability to reduce stress and is believed to inspire creativity.

Homeopathy is different from traditional medicine in that when you have an illness you would go to your doctor and he or she would prescribe a particular medicine to ease those symptoms.

The medicine would probably clear the symptoms and the illness subside but the symptoms showed themselves for a reason and if that underlying reason still exists then the symptoms will return, either in the same form of illness or something similar.

Homeopathy is different in this sense for it treats the actual root of the problem and therefore the symptoms no longer exist so they can’t return.

How Homeopathy Works

A Homeopathic will take into account all aspects of the person’s life concern over the actual symptoms is not predominant in the diagnosis and treatment, two people may be complaining of headaches but diagnosis and treatment will differ greatly for each of them if say one of them along with the headaches may also be suffering from depression, a lack of energy and a list of other underlying causes.

It is these underlying causes that are the crucial factor is diagnosis as all these come together to form to the root of the problem and once this is found then a single homeopathic remedy will be given.

What Are The Remedies?

Homeopathic remedies are totally natural and are derived from plants and minerals; they are prepared by a process of repeated dilution and shaking. The remedy is most usually given one single time and then allowed to work over a period of time as the treatment is also based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself given time.

Why Trust Homeopathic Medicine?

Being completely natural the remedies are suitable for anyone, the remedies can also be used with traditional medicine and when the correct remedy is taken the results have been very effective, rapid and often permanent.

Homeopathic remedies will work alongside your immune system unlike some traditional medicine which suppresses it and being totally natural they are in no way addictive. Remedies tackle the underlying cause which means that the symptoms don’t usually re occur.

There is however a down side to homeopathic treatment and that is that it can take more time than traditional medicine to find the right remedy as there is no such thing as a standard remedy the particular remedy for your needs is based on underlying causes.

By choosing this holistic lifestyle you begin to discover your place in life and you begin to see food in a totally different way, everything you eat can have a healing influence in your life rather than be just something that you put into your mouth automatically when you feel hunger pangs.

The main principal behind Macrobiotics is Yin and Yang where everything has an equal, for example where there is light there is dark, hot there is cold. Put in simple terms Yin and Yang balance each other, yin and yang exists everywhere not only in relation to the food we eat.

The macrobiotic lifestyle is based on balancing your lifestyle with the life you lead, finely tuning this process will lead to ever increasing wellbeing and health. The Macrobiotic diet is one very similar to the nutritional intake that is recommended by the American Cancer Society and is generally high in complex carbohydrates and fibre and low in fat.

What Types Of Food Are Used In The Macrobiotics Diet?

Foods are based on the Yin and Yang principal and as thus are arraigned on a scale; meat, fish, poultry; salt, hard cheeses and eggs are classed as Yang foods. Yin foods are fruit juices, cream, milk, alcohol, molasses and sugar. Foods in the middle of this range are better balanced and these include vegetables, beans, grains, seeds, and nuts and fruit.

It is thought that eating more of a particular Yin or Yang type of food can have a reaction on our health and this is when disease and ailments can occur. Therefore by using the Yin and Yang concept a tailor made diet is based on factors relating to the individual and there circumstances, other points to be taken into consideration are age, season, and the climate and how active the person is.

For example if you live in an area where the weather changes throughout the year rather than stays relatively warm or cold throughout then more Yin type foods such as salads and fruit should be eaten during the summer months and more Yang type foods such as soups and stews should be eaten throughout the winter time.

Typical Macrobiotic Meals

Only natural foods that contain no additives or artificial chemicals are used when preparing a meal for a Macrobiotic diet, most meals are simple and only contain the smallest amount of seasoning and just one or two ingredients.

Around 30% of the diet is composed of vegetables, 8% is beans or products originating from beans and 5% of the Macrobiotic diet consists of fish, nuts, seeds and seasonings. The main meal of the day should consist of soup, grains, vegetables and protein. As cooking can alter the Yin and Yang qualities of a particular food neutral cooking methods are preferred such as stir frying, boiling or steaming.

You by no means have to become an expert it doesn’t mean that you will have to learn a particular instrument but rather patients are encourage to use a variety of instruments such as percussion.

There is no set type of music that the patient has to adhere to and no one particular song that has to be learnt in fact most the music will be improvised. Whatever the form of music the sole purpose is to promote an overall feeling of well being and assist in positive behavioural changes.

Music therapy can be in individual sessions or group sessions although for the therapy to be successful there are certain criteria that must be met. The room in which the therapy will be held must be private so there is little chance of being disturbed once the session has started. Instruments used for therapy must be varied and tape and video facilities are also preferable.

Certain clinical considerations must also be taken into account such as the sessions should always be in the same room every week, the length of time of the session and total commitment by members of those assisting in the therapy sessions is important.

Who Is Music Therapy Aimed At?

Music therapy is a valuable aid for almost anyone but is especially beneficial to people suffering from the following disorders.

HIV/AIDS, Autism, addiction, people with mental health problems, people of all ages with learning disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, epilepsy, people suffering from eating disorders, victims of sexual and mental abuse, communication problems and is beneficial in the treatment of stress management.

How Does Music Therapy Help?

Benefit can be gained in several ways from music therapy; music is a great way of expressing feelings and thoughts without the need for words so for the person suffering from emotional problems can benefit greatly for they use the music as a safe way of releasing feelings which they may have repressed.

A sense of great achievement and confidence can be gained from music therapy and it can assist in concentration and help develop memory and attention span. In fact as each person has different needs music therapy is beneficial to a wide variety of problems and the possibilities for improvement in those problem areas are endless.

The right foot relates to the right side of the body and the left foot the left side, gentle massage pressure to the feet with the hands is thought to trigger the nervous system which then triggers the brain to send signals to the various internal organs.

Reflexology isn’t a replacement for traditional medicine but rather works alongside it, it is a technique used to promote well being, combat stress, improves the circulation throughout the body, balances the whole body and is said to increase energy levels.

During a session of reflexology therapy more than 7,000 nerves will be stimulated and a different reaction from person to person to the treatments will be felt, some find themselves calm and relaxed with a feeling of overall wellbeing while others feel a little faint or sick.

Is Involved During Reflexology Therapy?

Reflexology therapy involves pressure being given to the soles and upper part of the foot the therapist may also apply talcum powder while massaging but unlike standard massage the use of oils is never used. The points on the soles of your foot that are being massaged are very small and it is possible that you will feel dramatic results after your first treatment.

These could be an increase in bowel movement, skin problems or the symptoms of cold, this is a positive sign that the treatment has helped in the removal of harmful toxins from the body. During the treatment it is quite possible that some areas of the foot will feel very tender these tender spots conform to the problem area of the body.

Conditions Can Reflexology help?

Benefit can be gained for almost any medical condition as the part of the foot specifically relating to the problem area will be given extra attention, so for migraine headaches, strokes e.t.c care will be taken for the points which connect to the head and surrounding area.

Neck, back and hip related problems will be treated in the musculoskeletal area and high blood pressure, angina and circulatory problems will be treated within the heart area and so on.

A sense of wellbeing and vitality is often experienced after a session of Reflexology and any one given treatment can last for anything up to an hour with sessions usually recommended once a week over a period of six weeks for optimum results.

What Is Transcendental Meditation?

Meditation can be learned by anyone of any age, it is simply allowing the body and mind to reach a state of total peace, and this is achieved by sitting in a comfortable position with your eyes closed and allowing your mind and body to relax totally but still remain alert.

Transcendental meditation differs from most forms of meditation in that most forms of meditation rely heavily on concentration and contemplation. Transcendental meditation is “A unique state of restful alertness” often described as transcendental consciousness and research has confirmed that this is the fourth major state of consciousness.

The Benefits of Transcendental Meditation

Besides bringing about a deep sense of calm and relaxation this form of meditation is also thought to help with improved memory, improved overall health, improved relationships, an increase in happiness, reduced high blood pressure, better sleep behaviour, an increase in energy and helping in the reversal of anti-aging.

Research has show that people meditating using this method have on average have the biological age of a person 5 to 12 years younger. It has also been proven to reduce illness and the risk of developing heart disease. Meditators also are prone to less stress related illnesses and depression and often achieve greater creativity and a boost to there self confidence and self esteem.

Transcendental meditation is one of the most documented and researched programs in its field and The National Institute of Health conducted research into transcendental meditation and the benefits it brings to heart disease patients costing more than $21 million dollars just on the one illness.

How Long Does It Take To Learn Transcendental Meditation?

The meditation technique is typically taught in a seven step course through a Transcendental Meditation school, which will include lectures, group seminars and private instruction.

An introductory talk will be given explaining the benefits that the meditation has to offer and how the meditation works then a one on one talk with the teacher will be given, four days of instruction will then be given these include learning the technique, making sure you have got the practise right and that you understand the workings behind the meditation then finally making sure you understand the mechanics of the higher state of consciousness.

Once the seven step course has been completed you should be invited to attend follow up meetings should you wish to do so. At the end of the course you will gradate and as such will be eligible for life time follow ups at any of the registered Transcendental Meditation centres.

Acupuncture is thought to be safe for people of all ages and is thought to be particularly useful in the relief of pain during childbirth also throughout pregnancy.

How Is The Treatment Given?

Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny needles into pressure points throughout the body; there are roughly 500 of these points located on the body. Of these about 100 of them are the most commonly used.

Insertion of the needles into certain areas of the body stimulates certain organs in the body, although your illness or problem doesn’t necessarily correspond to the place of insertion of the needles.

For example if your problem is headaches then the needles are not inserted in the head or indeed any where near the head, it is most likely the needles will be inserted into your hand or even your foot. The acupuncturist may also use along with the needles, a substance called Moxa. This is an herb which is used to warm the points; this in theory helps the smooth flow of the body’s energy thereby assisting the treatment.

Is The Treatment Painful?

The treatment and insertion of the needles is different from the experience we have all had when having blood taken, the needles are much finer and are solid and are said to give a tingling feeling when inserted or a dull ache. The needles once inserted can be left in place for up to a maximum of 20 minutes or as little as just a few seconds, depending on the complaint and the effect required.

People who have gone through a course of acupuncture have been known to describe the treatment as pleasant and one of relaxation. Many people have also found there level of energy increases and they have an over all sense of well being in general as well as feeling benefit for there particular complaint.

How Often Will Treatment Be Necessary?

Every person is different and so treatment will vary greatly from individual to individual, though on average some benefit will be felt after about 5 treatments. On average you will have treatment twice a week and only two or three treatments may be necessary, while for some several months treatments are needed.