Alternative Medicine

is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care. Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and allied health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, practice.

Complementary vs Alternative Complementary medicine is used together with standard medical care. An example is using acupuncture to help with side effects of cancer treatment. Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical care. An example is treating heart disease with chelation therapy (which seeks to remove excess metals from the blood) instead of using a standard approach

Homeopathy What is Homeopathy Anyway? Homeopathic medicine is a natural pharmaceutical science that uses various plants, minerals or animals in very small dose to stimulate the sick person's natural defenses.

Homeopathy Homeopaths, like many modern physiologists, recognize that symptoms represent the best efforts of the organism to adapt to and defend against various stresses or infections. Because the body is not always successful in dealing with every stress or infection, it is important to find a substance in nature that has the capacity to mimic the symptoms the person is experiencing in order to aid the body in its efforts to defend and ultimately heal itself.

Herbal Medicine Herbalists use the leaves, flowers, stems, berries, and roots of plants to prevent, relieve, and treat illness. From a "scientific" perspective, many herbal treatments are considered experimental. The reality is, however, that herbal medicine has a long and respected history

Herbal Medicine Today, science has isolated the medicinal properties of a large number of botanicals, and their healing components have been extracted and analyzed. For example, Vincristine (an antitumor drug), digitalis (a heart regulator), and ephedrine (a bronchodilator used to decrease respiratory congestion) were all originally discovered through research on plants.

Acupuncture Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture became widely known in the United States in 1971

Acupuncture Traditional Chinese medicine theorizes that the more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body connect with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways, called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi, between the surface of the body and internal organs.

Biofeedback A training program designed to develop one’s ability to control the autonomic nervous system. After learning the technique a patient may be able to control heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature, or to relax certain organs. Using a monitor that sounds a tone when changes in pulse, blood pressure, brain waves, muscle contractions occur. The patient attempts to reproduce conditions that caused the desired changes.

Hydrotherapy Scientific application of using water in the treatment of disease. The therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy include: Buoyancy: for arthritis or paralysis, where the buoyancy relieves the stress of weith bearing and allows freer motion Brief Hot tub and shower baths: Relieve fatigue and produce general relaxation Whirlpool: Water bath where water is agitated by electricity, aids in debridement of wounds.

Hydrotherapy Cold and Hot applications: One followed by the other stimulates cardiovascular system both locally and generally. Hot Baths: Relaxes tissue, including capillaries of skin, drawing blood from deeper tissues and relieving pain. Resistance: Viscosity of the water causes resistance to movement and can be used for therapeutic exercise. The faster the movement the greater the resistance.

Yoga All people wish to be happy. This seemingly simple desire appears to elude the best-intentioned efforts of even the most intelligent among us. Yet almost everyone has had glimpses of deep peacefulness when they have felt connected both to themselves, to others, and to nature. Curiously, the state of feeling good and whole does not seem to be something we can order up on demand but rather appears to happen spontaneously. In such moments we experience a sense of translucence such that that which we see, feel, sense, hear, or touch no longer feels separate from us but is experienced as a part of our own totality.

Yoga Yoga is a technology for arriving in this present moment. It is a means of waking up from our spiritual amnesia, so that we can remember all that we already know. It is a way of remembering our true nature, which is essentially joyful and peaceful. Developed as a pragmatic science by ancient seers centuries ago, yoga is a practice that person, regardless of age, sex, race, or religious belief, can use to realize his/ her full potential.

Massage Therapy Uses pressure, kneading, stroking, vibration, and tapping to help client relax in mind and body. Improves concentration, promotes restful sleep, and relaxes the mind. Practices: Own Office Client’s residence Spas or Resorts Chiropractor’s office Mall Types: Swedish Neuromuscular Shiatsu and acupressure Reiki Seated massage Responsibilities: Explain preparation Create restful, relaxing atmosphere Assesses types of strokes/methods to use Preserve client’s modesty and dignity at all times

Hypnotherapy Hypnosis is similar to daydreaming, but unlike daydreaming, hypnosis is deliberate and goal directed. Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic setting to help achieve a specific, achievable short-term goal. Hypnotherapists help clients select relevant goals, commit to the achievement of the goals, and carry out posthypnotic suggestions. A posthypnotic suggestion is made while the client is hypnotized. After hypnosis, the client consciously incorporates the suggestion into everyday life to achieve a specific goal, such as stopping cigarette smoking or overcoming the fear of speaking in front of an audience.

GUIDED IMAGERY Theory-Guided imagery is based on the concept that your body and mind are connected. Using all of your senses, your body seems to respond as though what you are imagining is real. Benefits-You can achieve a relaxed state when you imagine all the details of a safe, comfortable place, such as a beach or a garden. This relaxed state may aid healing, learning, creativity, and performance. Vs’s. traditional meds-Imagery had been found to be very effective for the treatment of stress. Imagery is at the center of relaxation techniques designed to release brain chemicals that act as your body's natural brain tranquilizers, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels.

Reflexology… Comes from Egypt, China, and Japan The benefits…. The physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hand with certain thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. The left hand and foot applies to the left side of the body, while the right hand and foot applies to the right side of the body. t foot or hand reflects the left side of the body and the right foot or hand the right side. The spine reflex area runs down the insides of the feet and hands with reflex areas for the arm and shoulder reflected toward the outside of the foot or hand. The toes and fingers mirror the head and neck as well as the parts of the body they encase. The ball of the foot mirrors the chest and upper back in addition the heart and lungs. Comes from Egypt, China, and Japan The benefits…. ~Relaxation ~Pain Reduction ~Amelioration of symptoms for health concerns ~Rejuvenation of tired feel ~Improvement in blood flow ~Easier birthing 90% of the studies show a positive result.