All About Alternative Healing Modalities

By Tara Webb


Alternative healing modalities are becoming increasing popular as people are getting more interested in natural remedies and cures. Scientists are proving that many of today's modern diseases are the result of lifestyle or stress. While traditional medicine treats the disease symptoms, natural remedies look at the whole person to determine the underlying root cause.

It is based on several principles. One is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. It also holds to the belief that natural or complementary medicines do not depend on prescription drugs, surgery or other conventional medical procedures.

It also takes a holistic approach, taking into consideration body, mind and spirit and strives for curative therapy on all these levels. It also aims to create optimum health by focusing on disease prevention and helping patients feel their best. Holistic treatments include a wide range of methods.

For curing physical ailments, the therapeutic arts include acupuncture, aromatherapy and others. For therapy of the mind and psyche, they include cosmology and psychotherapy as well as therapeutic storytelling. The third level is devoted to healing of the spirit which includes astrology, meditation, and shamanism.

Those that deal with physical, bodily ailments are most numerous and most specific. Acupuncture has been used in China for centuries and is now becoming popular in the West. Acupuncture has been used to cure many illnesses and pains which are believed to be caused by bodily imbalances. Needles are inserted at key pressure points and Chinese herbs are also used.

Another health care modality uses essential plant oils and is known as aromatherapy. The oils are extracted and then used to revitalize natural curative powers. Many ailments have been successfully treated with this ancient art that deals with therapeutic oils.

Ayurveda medicine originated in India thousands of years ago and is one of the oldest natural medicinal systems. It is an holistic approach that aims to prevent and cure many acute and chronic illnesses. It puts an emphasis on purifying the mind, soul and body through healthful practices.

The knowledge of plants and herbs, or herbalism, seeks to activate the natural bodily powers of healing. Plants are a kind of natural medicine that have no side effects as they cure and heal. Herbalism focuses on the digestive system, overcoming insomnia and stress and detoxing. Many people have begun growing herbs in their gardens as a cheap and easy way to include more herbs in their diet. Ancient cultures as old as the Sumerians knew about their therapeutic qualities.

Chiropractic arts deal primarily with the nervous system and spinal health. Chiropractors are well versed in using the skeletal and muscle system to determine the source of health problems. They believe that muscle weakness is the cause of every organ dysfunction. They target joint imbalance with muscle massage, therapy exercises and dietary changes.

There is a wide range of alternative healing modalities available today, especially as people are re-discovering the value of natural remedies. So many modern diseases are lifestyle and stress-related. These natural therapeutic arts put an emphasis on getting back to nature and the natural ability of the human body to heal itself.




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