Alternative medicine

1. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
ACUPUNCTURE: Acupuncture and Moxibustion is a medical treatment that
has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries
as well as now around the world. It is used as a means of treating and
preventing disease. Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine,
sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s
meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of energy
through the individual. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the
premise that there are patterns of energy flow through the body that are
essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for
disease. Acupuncture corrects imbalances of flow at identifiable points close
to the skin. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly
popular form of health care that is used by people whole over the world.
The modern scientific explanation about the effectiveness of Acupuncture
treatment is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous
system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain, including
endorphins, encephalin and other neurotransmitters. Either these chemicals
will change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other
chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s own internal regulating
system, bringing about a normalizing effect on neuroendocrine function. The
improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in
stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and
emotional well-being.
YOGA: Yoga is a part of Indian heritage. It is termed as an ancient science
and an integrated system that leads one to a state of wholeness, well being
and enlightenment. Yoga evolved in India, some five thousand years back. Till
date, yoga and its practice is believed to be the great emancipator of stress,
anxiety and whole lot of diseases. With each passing day, the utility and the
benefits of yoga have become well recognized. There are multiple forms of
yoga, like Hatha Yoga, Vikrama Yoga Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and so
on. Practicing each yoga forms, some way or the other, is beneficial to the
practitioner, helping him to pave the way to attain a stage of eternal bliss for
his ownself. Various yoga asanas have proved to be the antidote to many
chronic diseases like Arthritis, back pain, Indigestion, Diabetes, Bronchitis,
Dyspepsia and many more. However, there are certain pre-requisites to the
practice of yoga. A neat and clean place is the foremost pre-requisite. Empty
stomach is another primary requisite. After taking food, one should wait for
two to three hours before starting with any yoga asanas. Music also forms an
integral part of the yoga sessions. Yoga practice, when accompanied by a
pleasant Yoga Music, calms and soothes the mind and body of the individual.
A practitioner is required to carefully select yoga accessories. The yoga
accessories help to enhance the overall yoga practice and make a yoga
session comfortable. Firstly, proper yoga clothing is an utmost necessity. A
yoga apparel must be loose and comfortable enough so as to allow the

2. practitioner to move his body parts freely while performing different asanas.
Breathable fabrics, comfort, and versatility are three key components that
should be kept in mind while selecting yoga clothing.
SHIATSU: Shiatsu originated in China at least 2000 years ago. The earliest
accounts gave the causes of ailments and the remedies that could be effected
through a change of diet and the way of life. The use of massage and
acupuncture was also recommended. The Japanese also were practitioners
of this massage after it had been introduced into that country and it was
known as anma. The therapy that is known today as shiatsu has evolved with
time from anma under influences from both the East and the West. In the
modern age shiatsu has gained full recognition and popularity, with people
becoming aware of its existence and its benefits.
Although East and West have different viewpoints on health and life these can
complement each other. The Eastern belief is of a primary flow of energy
throughout the body, which runs along certain channels that are known as
meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists throughout the universe
and that all living creatures are dependent upon it as much as on physical
nourishment. The energy is known by three similar names, ki, chi and prana in
Japan, China and India respectively. As in acupuncture, there are certain
pressure points on the meridians that relate to certain organs and these points
are known as tsubos.
Shiatsu can be used to treat a number of minor problems such as insomnia,
headaches, anxiety and back pain. Western medicine may be unable to find a
physical cause for a problem and although some pain relief may be provided,
the underlying cause of the problem may not be cured. It is possible that one
session of shiatsu may be sufficient to remedy the problem by stimulating the
flow of energy along the channels. Undertaking an exercise regime with a
change of diet and lifestyle may also be recommended. Shiatsu can
encourage a general feeling of good health in the whole person and not just in
the physical sense.
REFLEXOLOGY: Reflexology massage consists of acupressure and other
massages techniques on the body. The more concentrated areas would be
the hands, ears, and feet. Even though it focuses on those areas it has the
capability to provide relief to the entire body. It uses the technique of pressing,
squeezing the hands, ears, and feet to provide the ultimate goal of full relief to
the body. Reflexology was created by an ears, nose, and throat specialist
named William H. Fitzgerald and Dr. Bowers in the 1800s. The benefit of
reflexology involves:
· Relieving pain and stiffness caused from overexertion
· Increase blood circulation
· Brings balance back to the body
· Relieving stress, migraines, headaches, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sinusitis,
asthma, constipation, and infertility.

3. Additional benefits of reflexology is that once the body is cleansed it allow the
body to flow full of energy and has a strong healing affect on the body too.
Reflexology is also known for helping with digestion, respiratory problems,
sinus issues, and problems with adequate circulation in the body.
REIKI: Reiki is a bit like a Japanese version of spiritual healing, though it has
completely different origins. A man called Mikao Usui was responsible for
developing it, he was a Tendai Buddhist, born in 1865 and died in 1926. Reiki
is based on channeling energy, working with energy. The energy is quite often
called chi, which is the energy that underlies oriental medicine, so when you
practice acupuncture and you use needles to encourage energy to flow
through a person’s meridians, you are working with the same energy that you
channel when you practice Reiki. If we think of Tai Chi, the energy cultivation
technique, where the various graceful movements that you make serve to
build up your body’s personal reserves of energy, you are again talking about
the energy that you channel when you practice Reiki. You could call the
energy prana, the energy that you work with when you practice yoga, but it’s
the same stuff. Now, from the Oriental point of view, chi doesn’t just flow
through us, but it surrounds and engulfs us too, so you’ll have heard of feng
shui, where you arrange your living environment to allow the better flow of chi
through your household. So when you practice Reiki you are
connecting to and channeling an external source of chi that flows through you
into the person you are treating. And you can also connect to and use the
energy for your own personal benefit.
But this isn’t the only way that the energy is viewed. Many people prefer to
see the energy as having divine origins, and they see the channeling of Reiki
as drawing down divine light or divine love. These ties in more with the point
of view of conventional spiritual healers, who draw down divine.
Herbal Supplements: The use of herbal supplements has increased more
than ever before because of its wonderful benefits. People nowadays are
more health conscious and look for new and better avenues to keep
themselves healthy and fit. Now herbal treatments have become an
alternative choice for many individuals.
It is helpful to know that many studies have been conducted on herbal
supplements and their benefits and applications. And majority of these studies
have proven that the health benefits of such herbal supplements are vast
following a healthy diet and exercise regimen also. This has therefore
encouraged many people to opt for herbal and other natural health
supplements to deal with certain physiological conditions and also for general
well-being. Herbal supplements are also used for herbal weight loss therapy.
One can secure a long and healthy life when the body is well taken care of.
And in order to achieve this, a healthy diet ought to be followed along with
some regular exercise and by also taking some herbal vitamins, minerals
and nutrients that are important for proper functioning of the organs.