Nowadays, many people use alternative medical treatment instead of Western mainstream medicine, considering it as a healthier and safer option. However, the purpose of alternative medicine should be to accompany, not to replace, standard medical practices.
Alternative medical practices are generally not recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches. This form of medicine includes dietary supplements, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, and spiritual healing.
1. Acupuncture
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Acupuncture it’s at least a 2.500 years old technique that originated from China. It is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow throughout the body, and using really thin acupuncture needles on certain energy spots can cause pain relief and stress relief. It also helps with nausea caused by chemotherapy. Instead of pain killers, many people use this technique, but some people say that the whole thing is based on the placebo effect. The positive benefits are that there are only a few bad side effects. It is very effective in controlling types of pain. It is a useful alternative for patients who do not want to take pain medications.
2. Chiropractic Medicine
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In 1895 Doctor D. Palmer, while adjusting the spine of a deaf man, allegedly restored the man’s hearing. This is not confirmed, but since then, Chiropractic medicine was invented, and it is being used nowadays as well. It focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the belief that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system. Back and neck pain is the specialties of chiropractic. It can also be effective against headaches and extremity conditions.
3. Energy Therapy
It’s another form of alternative medicine that uses human energy to release tension and everyday stress. Energy therapy is the art of clearing cellular memory through the human energy field, promoting health, balance, and relaxation. During an energy session, suppressed emotions are released without the person having to remember the actual stressful event that caused the energy block. It is a safe and gentle method used to help empower and bring balance to your life. This healing focus promotes personal empowerment, self-healing, and spiritual growth.
4. Magnetic Field Therapy
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This kind of alternative medicine uses magnets to treat illness. Our bodies naturally produce electric and magnetic fields, and the interaction between the body and other electromagnetic fields can cause physical and emotional changes in humans. Magnet therapy as alternative medicine is used for many health problems such as migraine pain after surgery, depression and it’s even believed that it can cure cancer. However, pregnant women and children should avoid using this kind of therapy because it is not proven to be absolutely safe. Magnet therapy is not thought to have negative side effects or complications combined with conventional medical treatment.
5. Reiki
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Reiki is a palm healing technique developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Miako Usui. The practitioners believe that they are transferring their healing energy to the people and thus healing them. Reiki is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The technique is simple for learning, but it’s transferred to the students during Reiki classes. It has no negative side effects, but it hasn’t been scientifically proven.
6. Herbal Medicine
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Herbal medicine is a type of dietary supplement that can be in the form of tablets, capsules, or fresh and dried plants. Many people believe that just because the product says “natural,” it is safe and good for their health, but that’s not entirely true. Although we are talking about herbs, this kind of medicine is not tested, and some herbs might cause serious harm. So if you choose this kind of alternative medicine, be sure to do good research before using it.
7. Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture because it is based on the same “life energy” concept, but instead of using needles, acupressure might be applied by hand or elbow. Acupressure is believed to help nausea, vomiting, back pain, headaches, stomach aches, etc. It might not be as effective as acupuncture, but it provides temporary relief.
8. Homeopathy
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This alternative medicine is based on a series of ideas developed in the 1790s by a German doctor called Samuel Hahnemann. It is a ‘treatment’ based on highly diluted substances, which practitioners claim can cause the body to heal itself. A central principle of the treatment is that “like cures like,” or a substance that causes certain symptoms can also help to remove those symptoms. A second central principle is based around a process of dilution and shaking, called succussion. Homeopathy is used to treat an extensive range of conditions, including physical conditions such as asthma and psychological conditions such as depression.
9. Yoga
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Yoga is an exercise that is very popular nowadays, and it has been influenced by an ancient Indian practice of hatha yoga. The exercises involve mostly stretching. Yoga may involve meditation, music, and breathing exercises. It cannot treat diseases, but it can be helpful in many other ways, such as helping against depression, reducing stress, etc. A survey released in December 2008 by the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that hatha yoga was the sixth most commonly used alternative therapy in the United States .
10. Meditation
It’s a practice that helps in mind training. It also helps the person relax, builds energy, and develops compassion, generosity, and forgiveness. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and it’s a part of many religions and beliefs. Some may ask, how is this an alternative medicine? Well, meditation can be helpful in many ways, such as lowering high blood pressure, fighting depression, and also anxiety. It may be done sitting or in an active way, and it may also involve repeating a mantra and closing the eyes. The mantra is chosen based on its suitability to the individual meditator.
Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade, is a relatively recent source of cleansing/healing the body, both internally and externally. Its recognition as a healing agent for humans grew after its effect on animals, in both healing and killing pests like fleas and worms, and on bugs like aphids and beetles that damage gardens and trees. The research on this powder is increasing steadily. It is now claimed to be approved by the FDA for human use. Is this true?