ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Alternative medicine is a term that describes medical treatments that are used instead of traditional (mainstream) therapies. Some people also refer to it as “integrative,” or “complementary” medicine.

1) Mind-body therapies

Mind-body therapies treat or manage conditions by focusing on the relationship between the mind and body. Here are a few examples:

• Meditation is a centuries-old practise found in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. People can now try a variety of meditation techniques, some of which are religious in nature and others that are not. Many studies have confirmed the health benefits of meditation. It has the ability to lower blood pressure and stress levels.

• Biofeedback-The use of machines to measure unconscious or involuntary bodily processes such as heart rate or muscle contractions is known as biofeedback. The information is then converted into audio, visual, or tactile signals by the device. A therapist then assists the individual in learning to control these signals. Biofeedback can help people learn to relax painful muscles, change their mental state, and do a variety of other things. Its most common applications are for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, chronic pain, anxiety, and incontinence.

• Hypnosis- involves a person entering a deep state of relaxation and focusing on suggestions made by a clinician while in a hypnotic state. The suggestions are intended to help change a person's mental state, resulting in health benefits. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), most clinicians agree that hypnosis has the following advantages (Anxiety, pain, mood disorders, smoking cessation)

• Yoga- like meditation, is a mind-body exercise that has its roots in spiritual practises. It entails moving through a series of poses and stretches while focusing on your breathing. Many people all over the world practise yoga to improve their mental and physical health.

• Tai chi-Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. It consists of a series of postures or slow movements interspersed with controlled breathing. According to some studies, tai chi may be beneficial. 
• >improve balance in older adults and Parkinson's disease patients
• >reduce the pain caused by knee osteoarthritis
• >alleviate back pain
• >improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, cancer, or heart disease

2) Biological therapies

Plants and foods are used in biologically based therapies to improve health or treat conditions. Here are a few examples:

>Food supplements

Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and integrative practitioners use nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial compounds, to treat or manage conditions.

>Botanicals

This includes using plants or plant compounds for medicinal purposes. There are numerous examples of plants that people use to treat symptoms or conditions. Some well-known examples are:

• Cannabis 
• evening primrose oil 
• curcumin derived from turmeric 
• allicin derived from garlic 
• valerian root

- Diets / special foods

Dietary approaches to medicine involve the use of food to treat specific conditions. This may imply consuming foods with specific medicinal properties, adhering to diets rich in specific nutrients, or avoiding certain foods entirely.

3) Biofoeld therapies

These therapies aim to help people by manipulating invisible energy fields. According to some medical systems and practices, the energy around the body can influence health. By addressing disturbances or blockages in energy, practitioners believe it is possible to treat certain conditions.

Some examples of biofield therapies include:

-Therapeautic touch

This involves a practitioner running their hands over or gently touching someone’s body to control or restore their flow of energy.

-Reiki

Reiki was developed in Japan. Reiki practitioners use their hands to try to control energy in the body during treatments. This could include putting them on someone, just above them, or working at a distance from them. The goal is to release trapped energy and boost the body's natural healing abilities.

4) Body-based therapies

Body-based therapies involve a therapist physically moving one or more parts of a person’s body for therapeutic benefits. Common examples include:

-Massage

-Reflexology

-Chiropractic therapy

5) Whole medicine systems

Whole medicine systems refer to sets of beliefs and practices that work together. These systems have typically evolved over hundreds of years. Some of the most well-known methods include:

- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

- Ayurvedic medicine

- Homeopathic medicine

-Naturopathic medicine