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Alternative Medicine and Therapies: Aromatherapy

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Nearly every candle company advertises candles that provide aromatherapy for the user, claiming to produce smells that calm anxiety and relax the body. This is where an alternative medical treatment has gone mainstream, being utilized as a marketing tool.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants, in combination with other compounds that provide a notable scent. Smelling items with particular aromatic properties is supposed to benefit an individual’s health and alter moods to a more beneficial state.

There are three main ways that aromatherapy is applied. The first, and most common, is through aerial release, such as with burning candles or incents or in the use of aerosol sprays. Some aromatherapy products are inhaled directly by the patient as a means of providing relief from respiratory infections, congestion or as an expectorant for mucus. Direct inhalation is also thought to provide psychological benefits. The final means of application is topical, usually though massage oils, bath oils, compresses or skin care regimens.

There are several types of materials used in aromatherapy, which include:

Essential Oils – fragrant oils obtained through steam distillation or expression of the plant
Absolutes- fragrant oils from delicate plants like flowers through the use of solvent or supercritical fluid extraction
Phytoncides – plant compounds added to aromatherapies that kill microbes
Hydrosols – the remains of a plant after a extraction process that still have culinary or medical uses, such as rose petals
Volatized Raw Herbs – plants with a higher oil content that are dried and used in direct inhalation methods

The belief is that certain aromas have an effect on the brain and that some have pharmacological benefits as well. The purpose of aromatherapy is to find a balance between the two. While some studies show a positive effect in the use of aromatherapy, it is typically is conjunction with other medical treatments, such as an aromatic massage in addition to physical therapy as treatment for an injury.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Aromatherapy, Essential oil, Health, Medicine, Odor, Shopping, Therapy

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Homeopathy

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First introduced in 1796 by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy is the idea that something that causes symptoms in a healthy individual will, in a diluted state, cure those same symptoms in someone who is sick.

These highly diluted substances, often given in tablet form, are used with the purpose of triggering the body’s natural tendency to heal and fight an illness or condition. The Society of Homeopaths provides an example of using coffea, a remedy made from coffee, as a treatment for insomnia.

Homepathic remedies are non-toxic because they are derived from nature. Therefore, they are often deemed safe to use, even for pregnant women and in conjunction with other medication prescribed by a doctor. Essentially, it is utilizing things found in nature to attempt to create a safe treatment for illness.

Homeopaths believe they are treating the individual rather than just the condition the individual has, as they take into consideration not only the symptoms, but the patient’s physical and psychological state as well.

The most common conditions patients see a homeopath for include those that reoccur frequently (such as colds, migraines and tonsillitis), skin conditions, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue and those conditions associated with stress (such as insomnia and anxiety).

There has been some criticism of the homeopathic field because it is believe some practitioners put patients at risk by advising against modern medical treatments such as vaccines and antibiotics.

Hahnemann believed that full doses of these natural substances would exacerbate the symptoms an individual had, which could result in toxic reactions. Thus, he believed that dilution was the best option. To make a homeopathic remedy, the treating substance is diluted with alcohol or distilled water and struck hard ten times against an elastic body to shake it (a process called succession). Hahnemann’s belief was that this shaking process activated the energy of the diluted substance.

There is no sound medical research that reports whether homeopathy is effective in treating conditions. Most modern scientist believe that diluting a substance so substantial removes any of the pharmacological properties it had, resulting in placebo effects.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Health, Homeopathy, Medical research, Organizations, Physician, Placebo, Samuel Hahnemann

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine, often referred to as TCM, is very different from Western medical practices that most are familiar with. Dating back nearly 3000 years in history, TCM’s basis for healing treatments of the human body are based on Daoism and the religion’s holistic understanding of the universe. Illnesses are treated based upon the differentiation of syndromes.

TCM is based upon the Chinese concept that there are five elements which make up the whole of the universe wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory of the five elements is used to determine the relationship between the human body’s pathology and physiology and the environment in which it is exposed to in order to treat illnesses.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine everything revolves around the belief that Qi (pronounced Chi) connects tissues and organs. Qi is a network of blood vessels and channels throughout the body and, when something is wrong, it is because the blood in the Qi has become stagnant within one of these channels, disrupting the connection between organs and tissues and causing an individual to be sick.

When practitioners in TCM evaluate a patient, they look at possible causes and nature for the disease, as well as the mechanism and location. Another very important consideration is the correlation between the body’s resistance and pathology.

Therefore, treatment for an illness is not solely based on symptoms, which means that two individuals with the same symptoms and possibly even the same disease, may receive completely different treatments because so many other factors are considered.

The most common Traditional Chinese Medicines include acupuncture, qigong exercises and herbal treatments. Acupuncturists use sterile and disposable needles in specific areas of the body to stimulate the proper flow of the Qi and reactivate the body’s immune system. Herbal remedies aim to get the body’s organs to function correctly by stimulating them internally. Qigong exercises are specific movements of the body that work to get the Qi flowing correctly again.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Herbalism, Practitioners, Qigong, Traditional Chinese medicine

Alternative Medicine and Therapies: Naturopathy

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Naturopathy is based firmly in the belief that the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain a healthy condition can be enhanced with the use of nothing more than natural remedies. It is an all encompassing term for a variety of natural healing treatments, including acupuncture and homeopathy.

The term naturopathy became popular in the late 19th century when â€œthe father of naturopathy, Benedict Lust, became a well-known advocate. The holistic health movement of the 1970s made the naturopathy popular in the United States and Canada.

The healing power of nature is the underlying element of all forms of naturopathy. Many licensed primary care physicians within the United States are also licensed as naturopathy physicians, combining treatment recommendations for illnesses of both pharmaceutical and natural elements.

Unlike most alternative medical approaches, there are accredited schools that offer degrees in the field. A doctor trained in naturopathy within the United States or Canada will have the designation Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) following his or her name. The four year education program must include the study of basic medical sciences, natural remedies, pharmacology and even minor surgery.

Methods used in naturopathy are minimally invasive, which means treatments like radiation, drugs created by man (synthetic) or major surgery are avoided as much as possible. In fact, most naturopathic treatments emphasize stress reduction, a healthy diet/lifestyle and exercise as the core of any healing regimen.

There are six core values that make up the practice of naturopathy, which include:

1. Provide the most effective treatment with the least risk; do not harm.
2. Recognize, promote and respect the body’s natural power to heal.
3. Don’t treat just the symptoms, but find the cause of the illness and remove it.
4. Educate on and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
5. Treat the person as a whole, considering all health factors and bodily influences.
6. In addition to physical factors during the treatment process, consider a person’s environment.

With the continued increase in health care costs, many patients are first turning to less expensive alternatives, which has resulted in an increased interest in naturopathy.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Alternative medicine, Benedict Lust, Health, Health care, Naturopathy, Practitioners, United States

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Chiropractic Medicine

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Chiropractic physicians aid patients with problems related to the musculoskeletal system or nervous system by manipulating or adjusting the body through movement. This form of medical treatment is most often used in association with disorders like headaches, back and neck pain and joint pain.

The purpose of spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment is to restore mobility of the section of your body that is in pain or stiff by applying a controlled force to immobile joints. This immobility is caused by a tissue injury, often due to overstraining, repeated stress on an area of the body or because of an accident of some type such as a fall or automobile crash.

While chiropractic medicine is seen by most as a modern and acceptable form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, there is some debate as to whether the treatment is actually medically beneficial to the patient in the long run. Many doctors believe that an individual treated by a chiropractor may actually suffer worse bodily injury down the line because of the chiropractic techniques used.

For example, if you were to get in an automobile accident and the fault of someone else, an attorney would advise you not to go to a chiropractor for assistance with back pain resulting from the accident. The other party’s insurance company may actually refuse to pay for any medical treatment you need from the accident if you see a chiropractor because it is believed that the injury could have been made worse by such manipulation, and the insurance company will not be held liable.

This is especially true if the chiropractor is not adequately trained in the field, so it’s important to check into a chiropractor’s credentials prior to treatment. In order to obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree in the U.S., and individual must complete 90 credit hours of prerequisites, obtain a chiropractic degree from an accredited college and obtain a license to practice chiropractic medicine by passing four to five exams through the National Board of Chiropractic Medicine, as well as continuing education courses through their career.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Chiropractic, Health, Medicine, Organizations, Spinal adjustment, Spinal manipulation, United States

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Ear Candling

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Ear candling is definitely one of those alternative medical practices that is surrounded by controversy. Just the name brings a number of questions to mind, namely, â€œWhat in the world…?

Also known as ear coning and thermal-auricular therapy, ear candling is believed to improve someone’s health by drawing toxins out of the body. The patient lies on one side of their body and the practitioner lights a hollow candle and place the unlit end inside the ear canal, with a protective layer (such as an aluminum pan) keeping melted wax from dripping on the patient.

Throughout the process the wick is cut back regularly to reduce the size of the flame. As the candle burns, it is said to create negative pressure, dragging toxins and earwax out of the body through the ear canal. In fact, one might open up the hollow candle to find a variety of material within the candle body. The candle is blown out approximately two to four inches from the patient’s body, with the whole session lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

Ear candling is often offered at spas as a part of a massage package and overall body rejuvenating process. Many claim the procedure to be very effective, especially in relieve fluid build-up (often caused by a cold or allergies) within the ear. Some even claim to have relief from tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The procedure is highly controversial, with doctors and researchers believing it to be ineffective and somewhat dangerous, with reported cases of candle wax getting back into the ear causing pain and damage. Additionally, studies have shown that the residue inside the candle following the procedure is nothing more than remnants from the candle burning, and not anything that came from inside the ear canal.

In 2008, the health editor for MSNBC, Linda Dahlstrom, underwent an ear candling procedure. She claimed that the atmosphere was relaxing. While no harm was done, Dahlstrom noted no changes in her health and, after talking to experts about its effectiveness, stated that she wouldn’t recommend the procedure.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Alternative, Alternative medicine, Ear canal, Ear candling, Earwax, Health, Medicine, Tinnitus

Linking Your Health To Your Chinese Personality

The next time you fall ill, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check if your personality had something to do with it. According to traditional Chinese medicine, personalities give important clues to the state of one’s physical health and tendency to fall ill. A personality-based assessment is becoming increasingly common in many alternative modern health medicine techniques.

As per Chinese thinking, every person has five elements in their birth chart. The relative weight of each element will determine the personality, and since all elements are present, a person will always have a mixed personality. The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element has its good and bad sides.

Metal is the element that signifies righteousness and intellectual sharpness. Metal persons are detail-oriented perfectionists, and pursue their goals with single-minded devotion. Since Metal types are prone to respiratory illnesses and eczema, they are advised to take up aerobic exercises. Water types are known as deep thinkers, and are generally considered to be far ahead of their time. Such persons tend to be philosophical, and enjoy solitude and tranquility. They are likely to develop problems of the kidney and bladder if they do not have an adequate liquid intake or socializing opportunities.

Wood persons have Type A personalities, and are high on vitality, energy, and ambition. They are extremely driven and focused, and quite likely to assume positions of leadership or athletic supremacy. Wood personalities are therefore prone to stress and tension related ailments, and would do well to learn meditation.

Fire persons are the life of any group they’re in, and are fun, sociable people who love to read and travel. They are extremely gifted communicators. Fire types can maintain their health by taking time to nurture themselves, and limiting the intake of spices. Earth persons are compassionate nurturers, who are also natural peacemakers owing to their empathy. They are likely to suffer from weight gain, food allergies, and fatigue, and must learn to maintain the right balance in their food habits and emotions.

Knowing your personality type is the first step to making traditional Chinese medicine work effectively for you.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Healthy Tips, Treatments Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medical practice where fine needles are inserted into specific parts of the body for the purpose of curing an illness. When the needles pierce through the body, they release blocked energy which is responsible for causing imbalances in health. This alternative medicine technique has been practiced in China for thousands of years and has been used to effectively treat health problems.

During an acupuncture session, the patient will lie flat on the table while the practitioner will insert needles into the body at various points. These points are gateways for the body’s energy flow. Acupuncture points redirect the energy to areas that are deficient. The needles inserted will be at an angle of 15 degree to 90 degrees. These needles can be manipulated by hand and they will be twisted depending on what the practitioner considers as right. Other motions that can be used include vibration, heating, cooling, and gentle electrification.

What can acupuncture help to treat? Acupuncture can strengthen the body’s immune system. This makes the body strong and also resistant to various illnesses such as infections, flu, and cold and so on. It can be used to treat psychological disorders such as phobias, eating disorders, anxiety, addictions and so on. Studies show that depression can be cured through acupuncture.

After surgery, acupuncture is highly effective in increasing vitality and body energy. Those with hypertension will find acupuncture to help them to control the problem and also give better energy levels. Today, everyone is interested in looking slim, but losing weight is not an easy task. Acupuncture is highly effective in bringing down weight by suppressing the appetite.

Those who have to take drugs for fighting off pain will find acupuncture to help reduce the need to take them frequently. It improves body circulation and in doing so energizes the body and strengthens it to fight off diseases. It has been noted that where various health medicines have failed to give adequate treatment, this form of Chinese medicine has proven to be quite effective.

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Healthy Tips, Treatments Tagged With: Acupuncture, Alternative, Alternative medicine

About Chinese Alternative Medicine

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Chinese Alternative Medicine seeks to treat illnesses through a combination of various techniques that cure diseases by unblocking the energy flow in the body. One of the most well-known Chinese treatment methods is acupuncture.

According to the acupuncture theory, the body’s vital energy is Qi and it circulates throughout various body parts through energy channels called meridians. This flow of energy is similar to the way the body’s circulatory system works. If there is any interruption on the flow of Chi, the body succumbs to illness.

This form of medical treatment began around 2500 BC and is highly effective in treating various diseases that cannot be cured by western medicine. There are many acupuncture styles and techniques and these include Japanese style acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, and Classical Chinese Acupuncture. The most commonly practiced form in the United States is the Classical Chinese Acupuncture.

The process of healing is done at three levels – mind, body and spirit. In curing the problem, it seeks to not just completely remove the symptoms of the problem but also the cause. Traditional acupuncture can treat chronic problems such as arthritis, migraines, and also other problems such as PMS, depression, chronic fatigue, headaches, migraines, chronic back pain, withdrawal symptoms of drugs and alcohol, infertility and so on.

During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted in various points of the body for the purpose of releasing blocked energy. However, it is not just the inserting of needles that is the critical factor here. In addition to the use of needles, a wide array of herbs is used with the needles or on their own. Pressure points are massages to help relieve muscle tension and bring abut relaxation. Lifestyle changes are also prescribed to reinforce treatment effects.

Acupuncture is a very effective alternate medicine or health medicine. In order to gain the best benefits from acupuncture treatment, it is necessary to have it done by an expert. Depending on individual health and the illness, it can take just a couple of sessions or maybe many sessions to ensure that the problem does not continue.

Filed Under: Ancient Practices, Chinese Medicine, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Alternative medicine

The Way of Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM comes with a history of over 3000 years. It tries to diagnose the human ailments with a Taoistic understanding of the universe and the nature of alternative Health Medicine. Its unique method of diagnosis and treatment is very different from Western medicine. Its foundation of treatment is based on diagnosing and differentiating syndromes. The body of literature encompasses a vast array of folk medical practices based on mysticism.

It believes that the body’s vital energy,chi, circulates through networks called meridians. The energy running through these pathways reaches each and every organ in the body and determines healthy functioning of each organ. When chi is interrupted or is not in balance, the body falls sick. It treats the zangfu organs, which is believed to be the core of the human body. and the Chi, which is believed to be the carrier of information and any imbalance is manifested through the jingluo system.

Traditional Chinese medicine treats and diagnoses an ill or diseased human body on the basis of the yin-yang theory as weel as the idea of the five elements. These theories are based on the belief that there is a connection between the laws of nature and the physiological and physiological changes in human body. It studies the phenomena of nature’s laws and its effect and relationship with the human body.

Chinese medicine is also referred to as Oriental Medicine, and involves ancient practices like acupuncture, Qigong exercises and use of various herbs to heal and restore balance in the human body. Though these therapies appear to be very different form each other, they all share the common belief and assumptions of the nature of human body and its relationship with the universe.

Acupuncture treats the body by stimulating certain external body parts while qigong exercises regulate and maintain smooth flow of Chi or energy through the channels or meridians in the body. The herbal medicines, on the other hand, keep the internal organs of the human body in a good functioning order. Many scientists describe the different methods of treatments in Chinese Medicine as Information Therapy.

Filed Under: Ancient Practices, Chinese Medicine, Herbal, Traditional Medicine, Treatments Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Traditional Chinese medicine, Yin and yang