Saturday, May 6, 2017

Some Commonly Used Alternative Healing Modalities


By Eliza Mendoza


Medicine has grown by leaps and bounds in recent times. Many of the conditions that were a major diagnostic challenge are now easily identifiable and even treatable. There are many advanced techniques that are used in the management which has eased the pressure on the clinician. Even as this progress takes place, there are many alternative healing modalities that are widely used. There are similarities among the therapies depending on the cultural context in which they are practised.

Acupuncture is one of the commonly used therapies in alternative medicine. Acupuncturists base their belief in a form of energy known as Qi. This energy is always flowing in the body. Well-being is dependent on the balance of this flow and whenever the flow is interrupted, we say that one is sick. In the treatment, fine needles are inserted into the body at points located in the paths used by the energy. The insertion helps to restore the balance of the energy and to restore well-being.

Chiropractic medicine is also fairly common. It is indicated for many conditions that are associated with bone and muscle pain. Low back pain is a very common condition and is regarded as a significant cause of absenteeism from work. The pain is caused by misaligned bony and soft tissue components of the spine. Realigning these components almost always helps to restore normalcy. There are many other conditions that are believed to benefit from the treatment including fibromyalgia, asthma and hypertension.

Yoga is another example of these treatments. There is strong evidence to suggest that yoga was first practised on the Indian subcontinent. It is said to have numerous benefits by those who are familiar with it. The benefits range from physical, mental to emotional. It is indicated for conditions such as depression and anxiety. For many years, it has been closely associated with some religions including Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.

Ayurvedic medicine is the other therapy that also originated in India. The treatment has close similarity to yoga. The objective of this treatment is to establish a connection between the spirit, the mind and the body. When all these components are balanced, a life force in the body is stimulated. The amount of life force that is stimulated is proportional to the intensity of therapy.

Homeopathy is another treatment that has also been in existence for a long time. Evidence suggests that treatment was first used in Europe. It is based on what is known as the law of similar which implies that causes and cures of diseases are closely related; by identifying the cause, the cure can also be worked out.

The list of options is endless. There are many other forms that are practised including hypnotherapy, naturopathy, aromatherapy, massage, hydrotherapy, nutrition therapy, massage and biofeedback among others. The side effect profile is tolerable for most of them. Commonly encountered side effects include pain, swelling and infections.

When seeking alternative healing modalities, it is important to do so in a properly licenced facility. Today, the therapies are legally recognised and are regulated by many governments. Always ensure that your therapist is licenced to offer the treatment. It should be emphasized that most of the treatments still lack scientific backing and due caution should be taken.




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