What is alternative medicine? This is a term used to describe the different forms of medicine other than conventional methods. Alternative medicine includes a wide variety of medical practices including non-European (non-Western) medical practices and will include some new approaches to medicine. There is also a term called complementary medicine. This is a combination of conventional medicine coupled with alternative medicine.

With increasing research and new findings in medicine there is a universal rise in the Western nations of alternative medicine. In the Eastern part of the world, namely the Orient, some forms of alternative medicine has been practiced for many centuries. Part of this trend in the West may be due to the growth of medical education among people and the increased amount of travel to different regions. More literature is now available on this subject and medical societies specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are available.

Some of the most common forms of alternate medicine are:

Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Osteopathy

Acupuncture: this is an ancient art which had its origins in the Orient. It involves manipulating and inserting needles into special points in the body. It is thought to restore health and create well-being. There are several forms of acupuncture which are taught worldwide. This is one of the most famous forms of alternative medicine.

Homeopathy: is a form of medicine that tries to stimulate the body’s immune system in order to promote healing. The practice of Homeopathy endeavors to bring the entire body back into homeostasis, or balance.

Naturopathic medicine: Is a practice that is designed to stimulate the body’s own healing system. This system utilizes multiple forms of alternative medicine. It can also be referred to as Natural therapy, and can include dietary supplements, exercise and different foods.

Osteopathy: Was originally a form of alternative medicine based on manipulation of the joints. It is still used for chronic back pain. It is often used with other forms of medicine.

When treating illness and serious diseases it is important to consult your physician before taking any decisions. Many doctors will endorse some sort of alternative medicine coupled with conventional medicine, especially if conventional medicine is not proving very effective for a chronic condition. Despite the lack of credibilty given it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can work surprisingly well. It will all depend on your particular illness and your own body’s functionality whether alternative medicine will work well for you.

Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Consultant. His clients range from pro athletes and actresses, to cancer patients and children with Learning Disabilities. To learn if glyconutrients can help you, visit Buy Glyconutrients Product

Bookmark to:

Acupuncture

As complementary therapies go, acupuncture is one of the most well respected and researched. Consequently it enjoys wide acceptance in conventional medicine circles and is now routinely recommended by all manner of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. A recent WHO report found it effective for a wide range of symptoms and diseases, such as insomnia, depression, acne, lower back pain and sciatica, along with many others.

While the theories and language of Traditional Chinese Medicine may not be accepted by Western doctors, there is little doubt that acupuncture works and practitioners are relatively easy to find. There are 2 main types of acupuncture generally practiced in the West today, with subdivisions in each. These are the Traditional Schools and the so called Medical Acupuncture. The 1st is the holistic, oriental therapy that comes from China, the 2nd is a Westernised version used purely on a physical level. Medical acupuncture is normally practiced by Western medical practitioners such as GPs, physiotherapists or nurses. It is used mainly for pain relief and practitioners have only the bare minimum of training. This is in contrast with the Traditional approach which takes years of training and follows the Chinese medical system, and works on physical, mental and emotional levels.

Traditional acupuncture is subdivided into a number of schools. The most popular is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) which follows the way acupuncture is practiced in China. Other schools include 5-elements which is said to focus more on psychology and spiritual problems, and also Korean and Japanese acupuncture which are similar to TCM but with slightly different theoretical underpinnings.

How does it work?

The theory of Chinese medicine is based around Qi, the life-force that flows through all things. Imbalances in bodily systems cause a disruption to this flow, which can be remedied by insertion of tiny metal needles into specific parts of the body. Acupuncturists use a highly details method of diagnosis in order to understand the health of the whole person and thus calculate the site and type of Qi disharmony.

History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has a long but uncertain history. It was developed in ancient China at least 2000 years ago, possibly much earlier than that. Certainly, by the 1st or 2nd century BCE Chinese medicine was well developed - the classic text on the subject the nei jing was written around this time - a book which is still consulted by practitioners today. Acupuncture continued to develop over thousands of years until the late 19th and early 20th centuries when China was in a period of turmoil. An influx of Western ideas into China, and the cultural and political changes initiated by Chairman Mao lead to traditional medicine becoming almost extinct. After the 2nd World War, however, China faced a massive health problem and traditional medicine, including acupuncture, was revived. From the 1950s, Western interest in this traditional healing method grew hugely, fueled by astounding reports of operations performed with only acupuncture anesthesia.

The author maintains a website on the subject of Complementary Therapies at http://www.therapy-info.com

Bookmark to: