We have all felt the benefits of a long soak in a hot bath at the end of a particularly stressful day, or felt invigorated by taking hot shower hydrotherapy is an alternative treatment involving one of nature’s oldest elements, water. It was the Romans who first introduced the benefits water can bring us with spa’s, they found water helped to improve the blood circulation, relax tension, help in alleviating pain and brought a sense of calm.

Not only is water beneficial to us through bathing taken internally it can be used as means of a diuretic, laxative, phlegmatic and diaphoretic. Studies over recent years have looked into the various ways that hydrotherapy can be used as alternative medicine.

Breathing is something we all do day in day out, most of us without even giving it a second thought after all we all need air, but by learning an easy routine of breathing differently it is said to be more beneficial to our health and particularly those with respiratory problems such as asthma. It is thought that breathing the wrong way can be a contributing factor in 50% to 70% of all diseases.

What Is the Buteyko Method?

The Buteyko method of breathing was devised by Doctor Buteyko from Russia and the basic principal behind it involves reducing the amount of ventilation or breathing air with reduced oxygen pressure. This system has been said to have been successfully used in the treatments of Asthma, sleep problems, allergies, and problems affecting the immune system, angina and hyper tension.

Magnatherapy is thought to be an extremely effective alternative form of treatment for the relief of discomfort and pain in a wide variety of ailments. High density magnets draw fresh blood to the affected area which in turn stimulates blood flow which carries away toxic materials which cause the pain. This not only brings great relief from the pain but also speeds up the healing process.

Therapy by the use of magnets or more specifically magnetic fields is a totally natural method used to help alleviate pain, restore energy and promote a deeper sleep. The use of magnets has been scientifically proven in helping the body restore its own electromagnetic balance.

A chiropractor specialises in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions relating to joints, problems with the spine can irate nerves that control our posture this can be caused by several factors such as an accident, poor posture and a lack of exercise. A chiropractor will use his hands to manipulate joints along the spine this treatment is known as adjustment therapy.

What Illnesses Can It Help?

Treatment from a chiropractor can help relieve headaches and migraines, back and neck pain, abdominal pains, problems with the hands, wrists and shoulders and foot, leg, knee and ankle problems.

Naturopathy is a total health care system built around the bodies own natural ability to heal itself, it is a total natural approach that takes into account the person as a whole. Naturopathic medicine is based on six underlying principles which are:

The Power of Nature

If left to its own devices our bodies have the natural ability to restore health and maintain that health.

Reiki is a Japanese form of therapy that specialises in the reduction of stress and anxiety and so promotes a healthier lifestyle and healing of the body, the Japanese believe that “life force energy” flows throughout the body and it when this life energy is depleted that illness occurs, it is a natural, simple and safe method of promoting wellbeing that is suitable for everyone.

What Does It Involve?

The person is treated as a whole during Reiki healing, the body, mind, spirit and emotions are all taken into account and treatment is said to leave the person with a wonderful glowing feeling of wellbeing.

Concentrated plant oils which are called essential oils, are the basis for aromatherapy, they are usually offered in one of three ways Inhalation, massage, or in the bath. The oils are taken from the plants not as a whole but generally by steam distillation from various parts of the plants depending on the plant in question.

Oils may come from the flower part, leaves, roots and even the bark. Aromatherapy can be used alongside conventional treatments and is thought to improve many different conditions; it is particularly useful in the relief of tension and stress and giving the user a sense of well being.

Chakra is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning wheel and the chakra healing therapy involves seven centres of energy which our body is composed of. The chakras are said to act rather like a valve in regulating the flow of energy throughout our body. The chakras interact with our body by way of the endocrine and nervous system and each of the seven are related to one of the seven endocrine glands.

They are each related also to a group of nerves called plexus. Particular parts and functions of our body are related to each of the chakras and are controlled by the plexus or gland that is linked with the particular chakra.

Complimentary therapies and medicine is a wide band of alternative therapies and medicine other than that of what we know as traditional therapy and medicine. There are many different forms which are used to compliment, support and even sometimes profess to totally replace the traditional methods.

However precaution should always be taken when thinking of replacing traditional medicine with a complimentary one offered as a replacement. Some alternative medicine is offered as therapy and some is given as an alternative medicine. There is a vast array of different types of therapy and medicine on offer and choosing which to try can often seem a daunting task.

Chinese medicine has been established since more than two millennia ago, herbs have always been the mainstay behind Chinese medicine and there are many diseases and illnesses which herbs are thought to help. Listed here are some of the common problems that herbal remedies are thought to help and the herb relating to the particular illness.

Allergies- Ephedra is a powerful herb that has long been used in Chinese medicine; it is of particular use for asthmatics and those suffering from overall allergies and sinus problems.