Exploring Nontraditional Healthcare

Complimentary and alternative medicine includes a variety of approaches and therapies to restore and maintain health. The following is a summary of some common therapies being used today.

Acupuncture/Acupressure

Applies needles or the pressure of fingers or hands to penetrate and stimulate specific points in the body. These points (meridians) are thought to restore the balance of the body's energy and normal function. Effective in pain relief, and easing the nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Ayurvedia

An ancient medical practice from India based upon treating patients according to 3 metabolic types. Therapy includes diet, detoxification, exercise, herbal medication and meditation.

Chiropractic

Based on the premise that the nervous system controls bodily functions, chiropractors use manipulation of the spinal column to realign the vertebrae and restore health.

Herbal Medicine

One of the oldest forms of alternative medicine, herbalists use plants and their extracts fro a variety of conditions and diseases.

Homeopathy

Introduces minute amounts of medicinal substance dissolved in liquid to stimulate the body's natural healing responses.

Massage

Various forms of muscle massage have been scientifically shown to produce relaxation, and may improve many conditions such as migraines and back pain.

Naturopathy

Integrates diet, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, lifestyle counseling and acupuncture to help restore a healthy balance to the body.

Nutritional therapy

Uses food and supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, B12, magnesium, calcium, and others to help maintain a proper balance of nutrients.

Osteopathy

A system of physical medicine that applies manipulation to joints and body tissues to restore health.

Yoga

An ancient East Indian system of balanced health that uses a variety of physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation and life style changes. Yoga and meditation ay help relieve stress, pain, headache, asthma and high blood pressure.