The Common Types of Alternative Medicine

• Blog Post

  A third of Americans use some type of alternative medicine, the majority of these doing so as a complement to their conventional health care. What does this term refer to, and how can you incorporate alternative medicine into your lifestyle?

  What Is Alternative Medicine?

  It essentially refers to the types of therapies you won't find in your doctor's office. Alternative medicine tends to be more natural and holistic than the medical care and medication you'll get prescribed by your doctor.

  The term encompasses a whole host of different practices, from traditional alternative medicine to homeopathy, energy healing, and massage. There's no one set path when it comes to using alternative medicine options.

  If you decide to try alternative medicine, you can choose one variation or combine different practices.

  Traditional Alternative Medicine

  These ancient practices passed down through generations of ancient cultures are all pretty well-accepted versions of complementary medicine. Traditional medicine types include: 

  Traditional Chinese Medicine

  The principles of Chinese medicine lay in the idea that the Yin and Yang energies in the body need to be in balance. Chinese medicine can include the prescription of different herbal remedies.

  Acupuncture

  Another element of Traditional Chinese Medicine; during acupuncture, fine needles are stuck into pressure points on the body to release tension.

  The human body has more than 2,000 pressure points connected by pathways called meridians. When the pressure points become activated with the needles, they can release pain-relieving chemicals.

  Acupuncture can help relieve headaches and migraines, and other ailments related to pressure build-up in the body. It can also help reduce conditions like back pain, nausea, and anxiety.

  Ayurveda

  Ayurvedic medicine started in India over 3,000 years ago and is still in use across the world today. Ayurvedic medicine works by eating a specific diet that's aligned to your body's constitution.

  It also includes taking different types of herbal remedies and completing different physical practices. Ayurveda sees the mind and body as one.

  The physical practices recommended by Ayurveda include meditation, cleansing (for example, nasal cleansing with a neti pot), yoga, and ayurvedic massage.

  Homeopathy

  This practice involves the use of highly diluted natural substances to treat physical and mental ailments. 

  The evidence about the effectiveness of homeopathic medicine is still very inconclusive. Many doctors still claim that people who say homeopathic medicine heals them are simply feeling a placebo effect.

  Naturopathy

  Another form of alternative treatment is based on naturally derived medicines to heal patients. If you visit a naturopath, they will prescribe a selection of alternative therapies to help you with your health problems.

  A naturopath could look at your diet and advise how to improve it or recommend reflexology, massage, or a selection of herbal medicines.

  Types of Alternative Medicine Involving Touch

  Healing the body has long been associated with practices that involve physical touch. Some of the most common techniques are: 

  Massage

  Massage is a well-known and accepted treatment for helping relieve physical pain. Receiving a massage helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety as your body enters the 'rest and digest' state.

  There is a huge variety of massage styles, from Indian head massages to Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, aromatherapy massage, and more.

  Many people find regular massages can help alleviate symptoms from a sedentary lifestyle, such as tight shoulders, neck, lower back, and hamstrings.

  Reflexology

  Not dissimilar to massage, this treatment focuses on your hands and feet. The idea is that every part of each hand and foot is connected to a specific amount of your body.

  Having reflexology can help relieve specific pain in certain parts of your body, help you relax, and improve your sleep.

  Chiropractic Therapy

  A healing therapy for the spine and back. A chiropractor will typically adjust the arrangement of the joints in your spine to improve your overall mobility.

  The aim of this spinal manipulation is to ease pain and improve all the functions in the body.

  Yoga

  Another traditional activity that humans have practiced for thousands of years. Yoga is thought to unlock energy blockages, help you become calmer and more relaxed, more focused, present, and energized.

  Regular yoga practice can help with an array of ailments. From helping improve your mental health to strengthening your muscles and improving your flexibility.

  Energetic Therapies

  Some natural therapies involve the energetic healing of the body. When the energy in your body becomes misaligned, it may cause poor health. Energetic healing practices include: 

  Reiki

  A traditional Japanese therapy, Reiki is an energy healing practice. When you have a Reiki session, no physical touch takes place by the practitioner. They hold their hands over your body to help shift the energy to balance it.

  Emotional and Mental Healing

  Last but not least are the emotional and mental aspects of our wellbeing. You can't have a healthy body without a healthy mind. Typical alternative therapies for mental wellbeing include:

  Hypnotherapy

  When you have a hypnotherapy session, you are put into a deep state of relaxation to help you access subconscious beliefs.

  It's a way for you to let go of thoughts or habits that may inhibit your lifestyle and wellbeing.

  Meditation

  A time to relax, try and put your mind at ease, meditation has a host of benefits for your mental wellbeing. Being aware of your breathing and your body are both methods for successful meditation.

  Your Alternative Medicine Journey

  Now that you have an overview about different types of alternative medicine, you can continue researching and learning more about any area of interest to you.

  Regardless of whether you consider incorporating any form of alternative medicine into your lifestyle, take care of yourself by eating more whole, natural foods, getting reasonable exercise, proper rest, and minimizing recurring negative stress.

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  Common Sense for Living a Healthier Life

  An estimated 95 percent of the world's population suffers from some type of medical condition according to recent reports from the healthcare sector. More than a third live with as many as five simultaneous health issues.¹ At the same time, one in four people currently suffer from a mental illness, and this number is expected to increase during the years to come.

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  Lifestyle Choices, Nutrition & Quality Supplements

  Think back to the time of your great-grandparents. What types of food did people eat back then? For the most part they ate what they could grow on their land or what they got locally from a Farmer's market or some other community-based food supply. So what happened to our food? Why are so many of us sick, overweight and tired?

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  What Is Functional Medicine?

  The human body is an incredibly complex system and we have come so far in how we understand what it does. There are numerous ways of thinking, ideologies, and theories that have merged from the medical field. Just as different as those theories, what is even more different is each person's need when it comes to health and wellness. There is no one size fits all approach. That's where functional medicine comes into play. Read on to learn everything you need to know about functional medicine so you can make the best decision for your health!

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