Site update- Alternative Health & Wellness Guide

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Alternative Health & Wellness Guide

By Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

It is the start of a new year and you have resolved to feel better.

Great! But what is the next step for you? Should you look into

acupuncture or chiropractic? What exactly is manual lymph

drainage? And how do you know if you need (or want) a colonic?

Wouldn't a little information about all of your options be nice?

We at Crosswinds thought so too.

 

Acupuncture- Acupuncture, originating in China over 5,000 years ago,

is the art of inserting fine needles at specific points along the

body's meridians, or the channels of energy that run throughout the

body, to stimulate, disperse and regulate the flow of " chi " .

 

Alexander Technique- Alexander Technique works to change movement

habits in everyday activities. It is a simple, practical method for

improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and

coordination. It teaches how to use the appropriate amount of

effort for a particular activity, leaving you more energy for other

things. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a

re-education of the mind and body.

 

Aromatherapy- Essential oils, EOs, have been used therapeutically

throughout history. The EOs of plants promote relaxation and can

help certain ailments. EOs are extremely concentrated fragrant

extracts which are cold-pressed or steam-distilled from blossoms,

leaves or roots. Pure EOs may be expensive because it can take a

thousand ounces of the plant to produce one ounce of oil. These

oils can be applied as a compress, through massage, added to a bath,

or diffused into the air and inhaled. EOs should not be ingested.

Some caution is required with EOs as that they may be caustic to the

skin or dangerous in certain conditions such as pregnancy.

 

Ayurvedic Medicine- This is India's 5,000 year old Vedic Medical

System that views health as the state of balance between the body's

physical, emotional and spiritual systems. Where in the West most

people generally judge their health according to their muscle tone,

in the East health is best represented by the condition of the

internal organs. This is determined by pulse and tongue diagnosis.

Constitutionally determined exercises, diet, massage, natural

medications, meditation and other modalities may be suggested for

the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

 

Bach Flower Remedies- In the early 1930's the English physician,

Edward Bach, M.B., B.S., D.P.H. discovered what have come to be

known through out the world as the 38 Bach Flower Essence Remedies.

By observing his patients he realized physical illnesses are

predisposed by negative emotional states such as fear, resentment,

anger, etc. Bach said, " Think of the patient, not the disease "

and " True healing involves treating the very base of the cause of

suffering. Therefore no effort directed to the body alone can do

more than superficially repair damage. Treat people for their

emotional unhappiness, allow them to be happy, and they will become

well " . These ideas, not surprisingly, were heresy to the medical

doctors of his time, but modern clinical studies have confirmed that

the emotional and psychological state of a person affects many

bodily processes.

 

Chiropractic- All chiropractic techniques are similar in that they

attempt to restore normal spinal joint biomechanics, relieve nerve

irritation, and reduce the cause of suffering. The delivery of the

treatment can come in many forms; the more " traditional " method uses

a high velocity, low amplitude adjustment.

 

Activator- This is a spring loaded, hand held adjusting device.

This allows patients to be treated without placing them in twisted

positions. While the activator is safe and effective for everyone,

it is especially useful for patients with osteoporosis, or for those

suffering from severe sprains, strains, or accidents.

 

Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique- B.E.S.T., is a physical yet

not-forceful, energy balancing procedure done by the hands to

reestablish the full healing potential of the body. It removes the

interference and/or distractions that are demanding the attention of

the healing power; thereby causing the imbalance in the autonomic

nervous system that lead to disease.

 

Directional Non-Force Technique also known as a Low Force Technique-

While still being a manual technique, this form of chiropractic is

often times sought out due to apprehension of the more traditional

chiropractic methods. DNFT allows the spine to be adjusted with

less force and therefore no audible after effect.

 

Colonics- A colonic is a natural therapeutic method that acts as an

internal bath to improve the function of the colon, specifically the

large intestine. It is based on methods of hydrotherapy that date

back to about 5,000 BC when Yogis used a similar but more rustic

method of cleansing the colon. Colonics tone the muscles of the

colon, which often times suffer greatly from modern living habits,

while also helping to purify the colon of poisons, gas and

accumulated fecal matter. People receiving colonics often times

report enhanced health and vitality.

 

Ear Candling also known as Ear Coning- A process used in China,

India, Tibet, Egypt, the Mayan, Aztec and American Indian Cultures

to extract yeast, wax build-up or other substances inadvertently

lodged in the ear, such as: dust, pollen, bacteria etc. Can improve

allergies, ear aches and hearing.

 

Feldenkrais- The body and mind are seen as indivisible in

Feldenkrais, therefore optimal functioning requires the internal

understanding of who you are as well as how you use your body. The

Feldenkrais Method uses gentle movement and directed attention to

facilitate self-awareness and activate the body's inherent self-

healing capabilities.

 

Herbology- Since the dawn of creation, plants have been the primary

source of medicine for the human race; they are mentioned in the

Bible and through out historical literature. There are several

types of herbal medicine systems still available today, the most

prevalent being: European, Native American, Chinese, Ayurvedic and

Western. Despite differences in terminology and in the herbs used,

these systems share the idea that the body should be treated as a

whole and that plants work in synergistic harmony with the

individual to restore health.

 

Homeopathy- In the early 1800's Samuel Hahnemann, MD discovered

homeopathy. After becoming disillusioned with the prevailing

practices of orthodox medicine: extensive bleeding with leeches,

blistering and purging with toxic mercury-based laxatives, he

abandoned his medical practice to become a medical translator.

While doing so he noted that cinchona (quinine) was thought to

cure " intermittent fever " (malaria), allegedly because of quinine's

bitter astringent nature. Realizing other medicines were bitter but

without curative effect, he tested quinine on himself to better

understand. He realized quinine cures malaria because quinine

produces malaria-like symptoms in a healthy person. Hence the

first " proving " and the discovery of the fundamental principle of

homeopathy- like cures like. Homeopathy is the science of

eradicating disease through matching the unique symptom picture of

the patient to one of the 4,000 remedies that have been " proven " - a

clear disease picture has been identified.

 

Massage & Bodywork- This is a huge category of all sorts of

modalities, the most common thread being the healing power of human

touch.

 

Acupressure- Acupressure is like acupuncture but instead of

utilizing needles the fingers are used to influence the acupuncture

points.

 

Core Synchronism- This therapy was founded by Robert Stevens, the

director of the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics. It is

the culmination of his life's work and has deep roots into Polarity

and Cranial Sacral. Through gentle touch, the waves of the cerebral

spinal fluid and its driving mechanism are used to align muscles,

ligaments, tendons, bones and internal organs, in addition to the

more subtle structures and elements of the body.

 

Cranial Sacral- The cranial-sacral mechanism was first

identified and researched in the early 1900's by the osteopathic

physician William Sutherland. He realized, contrary to prevailing

medical theories, the bones of the skull do not fuse becoming

immobile. Instead, the cranial-sacral system has a constant

rhythmic motion that propels cerebral spinal fluid through out the

brain and spinal cord. This system is seen as vital to the normal

functioning of the central nervous system and the brain, both of

which are significantly important in the functioning of the body.

Cranial-sacral therapists are trained to feel this exceptionally

subtle pulse and to restore imbalances to the cranial-sacral

mechanism.

 

Deep Tissue- This therapy is designed to reach deep portions of

thick muscles using slow strokes, direct pressure and friction

across the grain of the muscles. This is done using the fingers,

thumbs or even elbows.

Manual Lymph Drainage- MLD has been successfully used in

Europe for decades in the treatment of primary and secondary

lymphedema. Lymphedema is a protein rich swelling of the limbs that

can be very uncomfortable. Through the pumping and/or stretching

effect on the lymph vessels, MLD, stimulates the contraction of

lymph vessels, thereby helping to move lymph forward and drain the

connective tissue. It also affects the nervous system, smooth

muscles and may have a beneficial affect on the immune system.

Myofascial Release- Manual techniques are employed to coax muscles

in spasm to relax. Chronically tense muscles restrict blood flow

and fatigue the body. By applying gentle pressure to connective

tissues or fascia, the normal functioning can be restored and

chronic pain eliminated.

 

Myotherapy- Trigger points are found in tight bands of muscle and

characteristically radiate pain out to other areas of the body.

This technique attempts to relieve trigger points and retrain

muscles in order to relieve pain. For instance, relieving a tense

trigger point in your back could help ease pain in your shoulder or

reduce headaches.

 

Neuromuscular- By using the medical laws that govern muscles

and nerves, neuromuscular therapists are able to break painful

muscular patterns and help injuries heal.

 

Oncology- These therapists have special training on how to

assist the body in healing from chemotherapy, either during or after

the course of treatment, as well as recover from the affects of long

term prescription use. Through using lighter, safer techniques they

are able to help the internal organs affected by such treatments to

heal, as well as reduce side effects such as nausea and are even

thought to boost white cell count.

 

Ortho-Bionomy- Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle osteopathically-

based structural

positioning approach to balancing and healing acute as well as

chronic tensions and conditions within the body. Its prime

directive is " moving away from pain into comfort " . Orthobionomy can

be done fully dressed and combines well with other modalities.

 

Polarity Therapy- An energetic system of holistic therapy founded by

Dr. Richard Stone, DC, DO, ND that combines therapeutic bodywork,

dietary adjustments, counseling and yoga-style exercises.

 

Reflexology- By massaging the reflexes on the hands and feet,

beneficial changes can be brought about to specific structures of

the body. Reflexology is as old as acupuncture, but was formally

introduced in America by Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1913. Further

research by Eunice Ingham led to the " map " of the body that is most

popularly circulated today.

 

Reiki- Reiki is the Japanese word for " universal life " and is

intended to promote physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Reiki works with the energetic field that surrounds and infuses the

body. Reiki is believed to have evolved as a branch of Tibetan

Buddhism.

 

Rolfing- Originally called structural integration; Rolfing was

pioneered by American biochemist Dr. Ida Rolf. Rolf recognized that

a poorly aligned body does not promote the flow of gravity. She

maintained that when one part of the body is out of balance, the

rest of the body attempts to compensate until the entire structure

is weakened. Rolfing improves posture through the manipulation of

the myofascial system, while at the same time easing pain and

chronic stress.

 

Somatic Experiencing- SE works with the stresses and traumas that

are locked in the body, mind and emotions. Symptoms arise, not from

the event but because the energy from the event has not been fully

discharged and remains trapped within the nervous system. Working

with the body sensations, in a safe and gradual way, the

practitioner aids the client in renegotiating and healing over-

whelming events.

 

Swedish- Swedish massage comprises the three basic massage

techniques that most people are familiar with even if they do not

recognize their names. Effleurage is the name of the long strokes

that go up the arms and legs, in the direction of the heart.

Petrassage is the kneading like massage and tapotment is the

percussion like movements that are often portrayed in the media as

the quick, karate-like chops to the back.

Naturopathy- Even as far back as ancient Greece, the healing power

of nature was observed by keen minds such as Hippocrates. As a

discipline, naturopathy is related to European nature cure, which

evolved during the 19th Century. It was the result of observing the

curative effects of: fresh air, sunlight, water, diet, exercise and

rest.

Nutritional Therapy- Nutritional therapy is a system of healing

based on the belief that food, as nature intended, provides the

medicine we need to obtain and maintain a state of health: our food

is our medicine and our medicine is our food.

Osteopathy- Dr. Andrew Still developed the osteopathic philosophy

after becoming disillusioned when three of his children died from

spinal meningitis. Consequently, he began an intense study of the

human body to find the underlying causes and cures for ailments. He

recognized the importance of the musculoskeletal system, the body's

ability for self-healing, and focused on prevention and the concept

of " wellness. Doctors of osteopathy may utilize physical

manipulation of muscles and bones in conjunction with, or as an

alternative to, conventional treatments, drug therapies and surgery.

Physical Therapy- PT uses physical means such as: heat, ice,

electricity, sound waves, exercises, instructions in proper body

mechanics and the mobilization of muscles, tendons, ligaments,

fascia, as well as joint capsules to help improve bodily function.

When applied properly PT can be relaxing and comfortable in reducing

painful conditions sustained from injury, accidents at home or at

work, corrective surgery, undue tension, or repetitive use.

Physical Therapists can also be of great assistance in treating open

wounds.

 

Qi Gong- The word itself means " Cultivating Vitality. " This is a

broad category of breath and movement exercises, the ultimate goal

of which is harmonious existence and action in all situations. This

level of achievement is characterized by: curiosity, clarity of

focus and intention, perseverance, non-attachment, resilience,

openness, creativity, responsiveness and fluid balance

 

Rebirthing- A breathing technique used to alter the normal state of

consciousness in order to pass through emotional blockages or

overcome traumatic memories. It centers on the belief that

conflicts or illnesses in adulthood stem from early childhood

trauma. Rebirthing was started in the 1970s by Leonard Orr and Dr.

Stanislav Grof and draws on the Indian yoga science of breath,

pranayama.

 

Tai Chi- A Chinese martial art that is primarily practiced for its

health benefits, including stress relief. Tai Chi exercises are

coordinated between one's mind and respiration and the movements of

one's head, eyes, arms, hands, torso, legs and feet. All joints are

said to improve through regular practice.

 

Yoga- Yoga was developed in India 5,000 years ago. Today western

yoga focuses on physical postures called " asanas " , breathing

exercises called " pranayama " , and meditation for improved physical

fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control

and general well-being.

 

For more information or to join in the discussion with many of these

practitioners, please visit http://www..com