Holistic Medicine – 5 Main Branches
Posted by admin on Nov 25, 2009
Definitely you have heard of Holistic Medicine. For certainty, a friend of yours has experienced an alternative treatment. Probably, you have tried to benefit from a complementary therapy too. Perhaps, you know few holistic treatments. But, I am convinced that you do not know all the branches of Holistic Medicine. According to web references there are over of 30 main types of Holistic Medicine. In this article we will introduce you to 5 main Holistic therapies.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that is been practiced for thousands of years. Needles are inserted into human body (usually wrists, ankles, feet, back and abdomen) at more than 350 points. The procedure lasts for approximately 20 minutes while the patient rests and then the needles are removed. Practitioners manipulate and twirl the needles with special techniques, stimulating the energy flows and promoting healing and pain relief.
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use primarily of essential oils and secondary of other aromatic natural substances such as vegetable (base) oils and scented products such as candles and soaps, in order to complementarily heal various diseases and vitalize body, spirit and mind. Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic method. There is historical evidence that in all major cultures of antiquity (Egypt, Greece, Persia, Roman), physicians deal with herbs, aromatic plants and floral water in purpose to invigorate, cure, stimulate and relax contributing to a better health and well being.
Homeopathy. Homeopathy is a relatively new Holistic Medicine based on the idea, that a natural substance that can produce sick symptoms in a healthy person, can have therapeutic effect in a sick person who suffers from the same symptoms. The term Homeopathy derives from a Greek compound word which means similar-suffering and was introduced by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Nevertheless, the homeopathetic approach to health was first described by Hippocrates 2,500 years ago. Homeopathy treatment is safe for patients as long as the next 2 rules are followed: 1. Remedies should be given in infinitesimal doses, so that unwanted side-effects could not be dangerous. 2. Remedies should be specific to each patient, because illness is specific to the individual.
Meditation. There are many different, even opposing definition of Meditation. The most usual description says that “Meditation is a state of just being without any interference from the body or mind”. Free of thoughts, feelings and actions, the meditator has the ability to concentrate on the present moment of quiescence, to understand human mind’s nature and to help the awareness of every single aspect of life. Free from any distraction to the mind, the meditator, emphasizes mental activity and achieves personal development. There are many types of Meditation according to their focus and many of them are related to Eastern Religions.
Reflexology. Reflexology is a therapeutic method of healing and pain relieving by pressuring particular reflex areas in hands and feet. Thousands of nerves end in these areas and link to glands, parts and organs of human body. Therefore, reflexologists by pressing on the reflex areas, induced human body to self-correct, to prevent illness, and generally to reinforce itself reaching holistic health.
George Kakaris
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/holistic-medicine-5-main-branches-132801.html
Reverse Fibromyalgia with Natural Medicine – Dr. Rojo, ND
Posted by admin on Nov 22, 2009
Naturopathic Doctor Lucy Rojo – http://www.DrLucyRojo.us – explains how she uses naturopathic medicine to reverse Fibromyalgia. Produced by Larry Cook. Distributed by Tubemogul.
Duration : 3 min 3 sec
Herbal Medicine Into the Spotlight Once Again
Posted by admin on Nov 14, 2009
Longtime regarded as ineffective by many contemporary medical scientists – exclusivist adepts of modern medicine, herbal medicine (commonly referred to as alternative or parallel medicine) has recently become unexpectedly popular among many different categories of people all around the world. The increasing global interest and trust in traditional herbal medicine come as very good news, considering that natural remedies are not only very efficient in curing a wide spectrum of ailments and diseases, but are also very safe to use compared to most synthetic drugs overused in today’s scientific medicine. With the appearance of so many specialized books and online resources that educate people on the remarkable benefits of using medicinal herbs as cures or means of prevention against disease, everyone will soon realize the advantages offered by traditional, herbal medicine and become more open-minded and acceptant towards this form of medicine and its practices.
With the discovery of so many new synthetic drugs in the last century, some people have forgotten about herbal medicine or have completely turned away from this traditional form of medicine in favor of scientific medicine. Even more, some medical scientists have denied the benefits of medicinal herbs and herbal supplements for a long time, engaging in an ongoing propaganda for synthetic, pharmaceutical drugs instead. As presented by the Chinese proverb: “A single untried popular remedy often throws the scientific doctor into hysterics”, many adepts of modern medicine fought a long and needless war against traditional herbal medicine.
Fortunately, the situation has changed dramatically over the last few decades and nowadays herbal medicine is once again respected and properly valued. However, what many persons still don’t realize at present is that traditional medicine and modern medicine are complementary concepts which share a common background, not antithetic, opposing notions. Idealistically, there should be no contradiction between herbal medicine and modern, scientific medicine, as they both fight for the same cause: to restore the health and wellbeing of patients afflicted by disease. On the contrary, both forms of medicine should compensate for each other’s minuses in order to provide patients with better healthcare.
For thousands of years, herbal medicine has been using natural remedies with strong curative effects to successfully treat an extensive series of diseases and disorders. Nature is an infinite source of natural ingredients which act as antibiotics, analgesics, sedatives, anti-inflammatory agents and so on, being used either to alleviate existing symptoms or to fight against the actual cause of disease. Undoubtedly, herbal medicine has a long and respected history and numerous studies conducted in the field have clearly revealed that the therapeutic benefits and the healing ability of various medicinal herbs and herbal supplements can be very significant if they are used wisely along with a healthy lifestyle.
Medicinal herbs and herbal supplements are very affordable (sometimes they can even be directly picked from nature), easy to find, contain ingredients with strong curative effects and have little or no side-effects at all! Medicinal herbs and herbal supplements can be used under the form of tinctures, capsules, pills, ointments and lotions, or can be used in teas or even cooked with food. Properly used and corroborated with a proper food regime and a healthy lifestyle, medicinal herbs and herbal supplements are equally efficient in fighting against disease and helping you stay disease-free. By uncovering and exploiting nature’s wisdom, one can substantially improve one’s health, ensuring the wellbeing of one’s body, mind and spirit altogether.
If you are looking for great information on herbal supplements or different medicinal herbs please visit this links.
Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/herbal-medicine-into-the-spotlight-once-again-72390.html
Natural Medicine for Weight Loss by Dr. Agrios, ND
Posted by admin on Nov 10, 2009
Naturopathic Doctor Angela Agrios (Pacific Palisades, CA) explains how naturopathic medicine is able to facilitate weight loss. Produced by Larry Cook. Distributed by Tubemogul.
Duration : 8 min 44 sec
Alternative Medicine for Treating Cancer
Posted by admin on Nov 4, 2009
Cancer is the name given to any illness resulting from one of our body’s own cells growing out of control. There are many processes that control a cell’s growth and division, each of which can go wrong. Several of these control mechanisms need to be damaged before a cell becomes cancerous. There are more than 200 different types of cancers, which are categorized in to carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma and leukemia based on the cells from which they arise.
The principles involved in treating cancer are either directly destroying the cancer tissues or indirectly destroying them by depriving them of blood supply and/or their nutrition. But the irony is that whatever conventional treatment is used to destroy cancer cells do affect to some extent the normal cells also. They may damage the skin, liver, intestine the bone marrow and other rapidly multiplying cells. Sometimes the effect of the treatment is more devastating than the disease itself.
Role of Alternative Medicine in treating cancer
A larger study of Alternative medicine use in patients with different types of cancer was published in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. It was found that nearly 70% of the patients used at least one form alternative medicine along with the conventional treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Center for complementary and alternative medicine (NCCAM) are sponsoring a number of clinical trials at medical centers to evaluate alternative medical therapies for cancer.
Alternative medicine includes therapies like herbal remedies, vitamins, special diets, and acupuncture among others.
Acupuncture: effective in the management of chemotherapy associated nausea and vomiting and in controlling pain associated with surgery. Now used in a trial to reduce the symptoms of colorectal cancer
-Homeopathy
-Ayurveda
-Shark cartilage: Being tried in non-small cell lung cancer. it prevents new blood vessels growth
-Hyperbaric oxygen: In patients who had larynx removed for larynx cancer
-Massage therapy: for cancer related fatigue
-Pancreatic enzyme therapy along with specialized diet for the treatment of pancreatic cancer
-Mistletoe extract: for the treatment of solid tumors
-Wheatgrass therapy
-Macrobiotics: The macrobiotic diet is strictly vegetarian and requires you to consume about half of your daily calories from whole grains, about a quarter of your calories from vegetables, and the rest of your calories from beans, seaweed and soups
-Bioelectric therapies
-Moerman’s Anti-Cancer diet
-Hoxsey herbal therapy
-Essiac herbal therapy: Essiac is a herbal tea mixture that relieves pain and reduces the size of tumors. It contains four herbs- burdock, rhubarb, sheep sorrel and slippery elm
-Pau D’Arco herbal therapy
-Chaparral herbal therapy
-Laetrile (amygdalin): a chemical found in lima beans, raw nuts and the pits of many fruits. Amygdalin produces cyanide, which proponents claim kills cancer
-Alkaline diet: such as fruits and vegetables and restricting acidic foods
-Antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables
-Vitamins A, C and E: These are very good anti oxidants
-Detox therapies including Gonzales nutritional metabolic therapy, colon therapy, and Gerson therapy
The most successful practitioners integrate various components of the alternative cancer treatments for a better outcome.
Markus Wahlgren
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/alternative-medicine-for-treating-cancer-69428.html
Reverse Migraines with Natural Medicine – Dr. Kian, ND
Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2009
Naturopathic Doctor Lena Kian – http://www.harmonyhealingclinic.com – explains how naturopathic medicine is able to reverse Migraines. Produced by Larry Cook. Distributed by Tubemogul.
Duration : 4 min 19 sec
What is your opinion on this article?
Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2009
Bracelets ‘useless’ in arthritis
Magnetic wrist strap
Magnetic devices have been used for arthritis for centuries
Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps are useless for relieving pain in people with arthritis, say University of York researchers.
In the first tightly controlled trial to look at both alternative therapies, there was no benefit to their use for pain or stiffness.
All 45 patients tested a copper bracelet, two different magnetic wrist straps, and a demagnetised version.
An arthritis charity said people should not waste their money on the therapies.
Study leader Stewart Richmond, a research fellow in the Department of Health Sciences, said there had only been one other randomised controlled trial – comparing the treatment with placebo – on copper bracelets and that was done in the 1970s.
Although there is a big public appetite for non-drug treatments from arthritis patients, we would not encourage them to spend a lot of money on products for which there is very little scientific evidence
Jane Tadman, Arthritis Research Campaign
Read your comments here
The market – particularly in magnetic devices which can cost £25 and £65 for the wrist straps – is worth billions of dollars worldwide.
In the trial, 45 people aged 50 or over, who were all diagnosed as suffering from osteoarthritis wore each of the four devices in a random order over a 16-week period.
They were all ineffective in terms of pain, stiffness and physical function, the researchers reported in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
Placebo effect
"It appears that any perceived benefit obtained from wearing a magnetic or copper bracelet can be attributed to psychological placebo effects," said Mr Richmond.
"People tend to buy them when they are in a lot of pain, then when the pain eases off over time they attribute this to the device.
"However, our findings suggest that such devices have no real advantage over placebo wrist straps that are not magnetic and do not contain copper."
He said the marketing of the devices was often to vulnerable elderly people.
Jane Tadman from the Arthritis Research Campaign said although many people with arthritis wore copper bracelets, there was no current research that supports their use.
"Although there is a big public appetite for non-drug treatments from arthritis patients, we would not encourage them to spend a lot of money on products for which there is very little scientific evidence," she added.
The charity is in the process of compiling a report on the effectiveness of complementary therapies and arthritis.
Arthritis is a cyclical disease. Symptoms come and go by themselves. That is why there are so many "cures" for it whether it be gold salts or cider vinegar. When a person suffering symptoms uses any such cure and then in a couple weeks the symptoms abate he/she will attribute it to what he/she tried. Humans are casual thinkers (cause and effect) and wrongly make a connection. Then swear up and down the device/cure worked. You could probably sell anything for arthritis.
So I agree with the article.
Healing the Whole Woman (Energy Medicine for Women)
Posted by admin on Oct 25, 2009
Donna Eden’s ENERGY MEDICINE FOR WOMEN updates ancient energy techniques that help bring complete health and balance to the female body.
Duration : 4 min 17 sec
Beyond Medicine: New Approaches to Alzheimer's Treatment
Posted by admin on Oct 25, 2009
http://alzheimers.ondemand.psu.edu to see the full video
How can we maintain relationships with the victims of Alzheimer's? Learn how a new method called "time slips" uses open-ended, image-based questions to facilitate effective conversation.
Duration : 4 min 14 sec
Understanding Chiropractic as an Alternative to Traditional Medicine
Posted by admin on Oct 20, 2009
Many people may already hear about Chiropractic but not all of us are familiar with this term though it already existed for more than 112 years. Chiropractic is a form of alternative health care or complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the structure of our body specifically to our spine, nerves, muscles and all its related functions.
The primary concept of Chiropractic is that the misalignment of the spine (subluxations) is the cause of many disorders or illnesses in our body. Chiropractic’s most significant contribution to health care is probably the discovery of therapeutic effects of spinal manipulation that are proven to help those people with muscular, skeletal and nervous ailments.
Chiropractic came in a Greek words cheir and praxis which literally means hand and action or done by hand. Chiropractic treatment primarily involves the use of hands to manipulate and adjust the structure of our body and it does not make use of any surgery or operation in treating spinal and muscular related ailments. The principle behind Chiropractic as alternative medical system was discovered by Daniel David Palmer. Chiropractic health care originally evolved in Unites States and is now a licensed form of health care in all its states. The Chiropractic treatment is likewise being practice in Canada, UK and to more than 100 nations across the world.
Though Chiropractic is considered as alternative or non-traditional form of health care and is clearly separated from the American Medical Association, Chiropractic practice is individually regulated by the government across the United States. Licensed individuals who practice chiropractic medical system are referred to as Chiropractors, chiropractic physicians or doctors of chiropractic.
To be a qualified Chiropractor, you need to have at least three years of pre-professional study in college prior to four year resident study in an accredited college of Chiropractic. As of today, the United States has 17 accredited chiropractic colleges in the USA. The accreditation of chiropractic schools is given by the Council on Chiropractic Education that is certified by the U.S. Department of Education.
After completing the degree of Chiropractic, they need to take a state licensure board examination in order to practice Chiropractic. Furthermore, majority of states in the US require Chiropractors to have continuing education credits to maintain their Chiropractic licenses.
The Chiropractic is also covered by majority of health maintenance organizations, private health care insurances and even the compensation systems of state workers. And from 35,000 Chiropractors in the United States way back 1980s, statistics said that there is now approximately 70,000 Chiropractors in the United States, 5000 in Canada and 1300 in the United Kingdom.
The practice styles of Chiropractors nowadays are divided into several Chiropractic health care approaches like traditional straight, mixer, objective straight and reform; but all of them strictly adhere to the precise adjustment of musculoskeletal of the body system and are using non-invasive or non-surgery treatments.
And one more good thing about Chiropractic is that there are continuous research studies to strengthen and expand the scientific understanding of this form of alternative medical system. An example of agency that supports researches for the advancement of Chiropractic is the National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Merry Jazz
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/understanding-chiropractic-as-an-alternative-to-traditional-medicine-115547.html