Traditional Alternative Medicine - This field includes the more mainstream
and accepted forms of therapy, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and oriental
practices. Traditional alternative medicine has been practiced for centuries
worldwide. Traditional alternative medicine may include:
- acupuncture
- ayurveda
- homeopathy
- naturopathy
- Chinese/Oriental
Body - Touch has been used in medicine since the early days of medical
care. Healing by touch is based on the idea that illness or injury located
in one area of the body can affect all parts of the body. If, with manual
manipulation, the other parts can be brought back to optimum health, the
body can concentrate on healing at the site of injury or illness without
distraction. Examples of body therapies include:
- chiropractic
- massage
- body movement
- tai chi
- yoga
Diet and Herbs - Over the centuries, man has gone from a simple diet
consisting of meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, to a diet that often
consists of foods rich in fats, oils, and complex carbohydrates. Nutritional
excess and nutritional deficiency have become problems in today's society,
both leading to certain chronic diseases. Many dietary and herbal approaches
attempt to balance the body's nutritional well-being. Dietary and herbal
approaches may include:
- dietary supplements
- herbal medicine
Mind - Even standard/conventional medicine recognizes the power of
the connection between mind and body. Studies have found that people heal
better if they have good emotional and mental health. Therapies using the
mind may include:
- meditation
- biofeedback
- hypnosis
Senses - Some people belief the senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell,
and taste) can affect overall health.
- art, dance, and music
- imaging
