Alternative medical therapies are a separate stream from the conventional medical world. They make use of the various natural ingredients and techniques in curing problems which the conventional physicians do with the use of prescription drugs.

Alternative herbal medicine is a part of this stream and makes use of naturally occurring substances like roots, berries, leaves, bark, flowers and plant seeds. Alternative herbal medicine has been used by people for centuries in curing major illnesses and for the promotion of general well being of the human body and is slowly becoming a viable mainstream alternative due to the increase in quality control and analysis.

The basis on which this herbal treatment works is the potency of the naturally occurring ingredients in the plants and their ability to provide relief to a number of human ailments. Alternative herbal medicine is usually sued in the form of supplements to the daily diet which are made from the plant extracts of the specific variety.

Many times, a combination of herbs is used in the treatment process as they are substantially more effective and this further reduces the side effects to a bare minimum. Alternative herbal medicine is being increasingly preferred over its traditional prescription based counterpart due to its cost effectiveness.

Apart from this, the second major reson behind the use of these is the ability of the herbs to provide relief without the innumerable number of side effects which are extremely common to prescription medications.

The ailments which may be effectively treated by alternative herbal medicine are numerous and include asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, chronic fatigue, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Herbal supplements are used to treat these diseases though they should never be taken unless a doctor’s guidance is taken prior to commencing their use.

The use of alternative herbal medicine is used in enhancement of memory, circulatory disorders, treatment of dementia, for anti depressant effects, improvement of natural immunity and to improve the general vitality of the body. Thus their use can be widely demarcated to general improvement of health and to provide relief from ailments.

The basic reason behind its still limited usage is due to the absence of a larger amount of studies in the field. The use is generally based upon the nature of use in the native region and the same is taken to be inclusive. Many times, a combination of disparate herbs can be extremely useful in providing instant relief.

A doctor’s supervision is needed prior to the commencement of any herbal medication supplement.

Reiki is a form of alternative healing therapy which has its roots in Japan. Developed in the beginning of the 1900 by Mikao Usui, it has been incorporated into mainstream alternative healing therapies around the globe.

The meaning of the word Reiki implies “universal life force energy” and the aim behind the Reiki therapy is to provide healing to the individual form pain and leave him with a distinct feeling of happiness.

In the present day, Reiki therapy is not only being taught, but personally practised by countless people around the globe. Its health benefits have been well documented and its success rate is unrivalled by any other form of alternate therapy.

Reiki Therapy was developed on the foundation that the universal energy can be found within the human body and around it. The aim is to balance this energy and to allow its transfer. It is considered that when the positive energy is balanced and allowed to flow through the body, healing will be achieved.

In any Reiki Therapy, the healer works with the individual to help him is attaining a balance of energy flow in the body. Meditation is one of the chief instruments used in Reiki healing and provides remedies for physical and psychological turmoil by the transfer of the positive energy from the master or the healer to the patient.

Reiki Therapy is conducted through the transfer of this positive flow of energy through the hands of the master to the recipient. The individual has to be in a state of receptivity to ensure that any actual results are achieved. The benefits of this alternative form of healing are varied and can help in any illness. It aids in achievement of relaxation and the removal of any energy flow impediments. Inner peace and harmony together with enhancement of body vitality and spiritual growth are achieved with Reiki Therapy.

Cold, headaches, flu, muscle pain, fatigue and sleeping patterns are improved by it. In addition to this, stress induced problems like colitis can also improve radically with the healing.

While Reiki healing has been acknowledged worldwide for having definite positive results, the same is not a miracle cure for any disease. It works well with stress related problems and can promote a better life quality, while in more progressive problems, the results may be slower.

It is an alternative healing mechanism which can provide the holistic healing for the mind, soul and the body.

This approach was founded by Rudolph Steiner in 1920. Now this approach is very popular as there are number of M.D s, holistic healers and naturopaths who use principles of anthroposophical in their private practice. Basic aim of Rudolph Steiner was to develop remedy as it existed regardless of developing an alternative medical system. So he developed this medical system by including medical science to his ideas.

Benefits of Anthroposophical Medicine:

The main benefit of this approach is that it can be applied to treat with any type of health condition. Anthroposophical medicine is mainly recommended for infections, chronic diseases, preventive care, inflammatory conditions like arthritis and treatment of cancer.

It is also beneficial for child care with avoidance of medicine or drugs. It is recommended for children’s conditions like development problems and deficit hyperactivity diseases. It is cost effective method to cure from numerous health conditions and is well suited for people of all age including children as well as seniors.

Anthroposophical Concept of Human Body:

Humans are made with four levels including physical body, etheric body or life, astral body or soul, and spirit. AM physicians believe that all four levels influence the health of patient.

Physical body of human is made up with three levels including sense-nerve system that comprises the nervous system, head, and thinking process. Second one is metabolic limb comprises of energetic metabolism. The final part is rhythmic system that comprises of heart, lungs in the chest and is responsible of balancing the digestive system and head. Illness is caused due to imbalance of systems of body.

Anthroposophical medicine involves proper understanding whole body system to discover the illness and imbalance related with each system. AM physicians consider the true healing that means to bring out the illness first in order to cure it properly instead of using the toxic drugs to block signs of illness.

Human body and nature are composed with animal, plant and mineral kingdoms. Thus, AM physicians use medicines made from organs of animals, plants, and minerals. Remedies in Anthroposophical medicine are commonly given in homeopathy doses that are non toxic and diluted solution.

In conclusion, it can be said that Anthroposophical medicine approach is best for people of all age, as it provides a non toxic solution to the patients.

Spine manipulation though may sound to be painful, is the basic approach, while Chiropractic deals with the overall skeletal framework of the body, including the muscles and joints.

How Chiropractic Started?

The term “Chiropractic” derived from conjoining two separate Greek words, “Cheir” meaning hand and “Praxis” meaning action. The literal meaning of Chiropractic is thus “anything which is done by hand” or “healing by hand”. Chiropractors are professionals who practice the treatment and have formal training on the subject.

Chiropractic treatment was first introduced in the nineteenth century by Daniel David Palmer when he first performed spine manipulation. Chiropractic care has been widely used then onwards and became popular in the medical field and other forms of alternative medicine.

Chiropractors in these days are not only treating patients with musculoskeletal problems, but are also providing counselling in nutrition and diets and healthy life style. They are also trained to perform sort of physiotherapy, acupuncture, herbal therapy, heat and cold compressions, exercising regimes and other types of treatment methods. These treatments are included in addition to their own course of treatment methods.

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment:

Chiropractic care is given for those patients having the problems of arthritis, back aches, muscle spasms, joint and muscle stiffness, and other similar problems. Through this kind of treatment, patients may considerably feel relieved of pain and improve their mobility. It is also beneficial to heal joint and tissue problems. Though the patients may feel some pain in the first few days of treatments in the long run they feel much better and energetic, sleep well and reduce tension and stress.

This is widely preferred by most patients over other medical treatments, as it is completely natural, and does not involve any medication and highly affordable.

There are some exceptional paybacks of Chiropractic treatment and care which includes:

• Overall heath and immunity improvement

• More mobility and performance

• Helps in maintaining good posture

• Healthier spinal structure and spinals disks

• Shows improved effects on reducing the aging process

Chiropractic treatment may be useful to recover from spinal problems and relieving pain very fast. One can get relieved from recurring and irritating problems like neck and shoulder pain, back pains and even indigestion. It is also considered to be of great help for pregnant women. It has been proved that women undergoing Chiropractic adjustments have been able to deliver easily and it also saves labour time.

Patients consider choosing this treatment as it is safe. As there is no use of drugs in the treatment, patients can be sure that they will be not addicted to any medication.

Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT may be better described as the technique of acupuncture with needles. It is best for the treatment of physical aspects such as in relieving pain and muscular fatigues. EFT is extremely helpful in reorganising the body and the mind, provide relaxation and soothe the senses, which enables in repositioning of the energy systems of the body.

How can one Benefit from it?

Thousands of years back, the Chinese discovered a complex structure of energy circuits called chee or qi which are energy meridians running all over the body. These meridians are focal point of the oriental medicine and health practices.

In the recent years, Western medicine has also started to follow the footsteps of their eastern counterparts and have incorporated the treatment to diagnose and treat physical and mental health. Several therapeutic modalities which range from acupuncture to muscle testing are based on these principles.

With EFT one will be able to visualise and experience situations with new dimension, facilitating and being the reason for positive change.

The treatments are able to cause powerful changes in the way one feels and reacts in various circumstances. In reality EFT, does not physically change the things, but are helpful in creating a powerful effect on the way people bothers about certain things. The best way to realise is to experience it.

How it works?

The EFT can be self applied, a technique based on healing procedures of acupuncture, kinesiology, or acupressure. The common feature between modalities is that they help in creating a balance of the system in many ways and one need not have to master themselves in order to have EFT for self.

The application of EFT may be very beneficial to bring some relief from discomforts and pain. The chances are that with some persistence the patients may feel some sort of relive from the uncomfortable and disturbing feelings.

Using EFT, one can enlighten themselves in a unique way. One can simply perform basic EFT to create higher degree of consciousness, or elevate the senses.

Since there are no side effects of using EFT, there seems to be no reason not to experience it. The only result of incorporating EFT into divine quest is to get some relaxation.

The tradition of herbalism has reduced as the common technique of treating ailments with the coming of other advanced medicines and treatment procedures.

While the more advanced medicines from the Western World has brought new dimension in treating many ailments, it has not been able to provide treatment for all the ailments of humanity and not certainly at affordable cost.

Medicines with Natural Ingredients:

There is now emerging interest for people to those medicines which are formulated with natural ingredients. The herbal medicines provide people with an alternative to the traditional medicine, which are known to them for the last hundred years. It has helped in broadening the ideas of how human can heal, and be trained to use those primitive herbal traditions to the highest potential.

There are lots of articles on herbal medicine, both on the print and on the internet, and with the increasing recognition of alternative medication in general, people will certainly realise the importance of herbal medicine.

Herbalism for Curing Health Problems:

In the recent times more people are opting for herbal medicines for various health problems. Herbalism involves the use of natural products to keep people as healthy as possible. Herbal medicines are available in many forms and can be used as medicines and health products both for internal and external use.

Herbal treatment is based on the use of natural herbs which have medicinal properties. These herbs include the flowers, roots, leaves, bark, fruits and even branches. It is one of the oldest types of healthcare which was formulated by humankind. Herbs have been used by people of all cultures.

Herbal treatments are beneficial to mankind not only to provide cure ailments, but also to treat the diseases from the root level. This helps to cure even the chronic diseases and neurological disorders, heart problems, allergies, pains and fatigue, stress and anxiety, and immune system disorders. The herbal drugs can be administered in place of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

Herbalism is the best alternative to pharmaceutical medicines as they have negligible chances of side effects. As everything that is used in the preparation is natural, herbal medicines are the safest and effective means to cure all the health problems.

However, where chronic diseases are concerned, these drugs may not be of much help. The medicines may be able to make us feel relived for a limited period, but they will not eradicate the sickness from the root level.

So it is essential to discover other ways of healing such ailments. One effective way may be hypnosis.

From the time hypnosis was discovered and practiced in the human civilisation, there has been some stigma linked to it. Many people have experienced its rewards and drawbacks. There are many instances, where hypnosis treatment has been able to cure people of their sicknesses permanently.

Thus, people who have chronic aliments such as arthritis, back ache, migraines, and several others may consider in undertaking this healing option. The hypnosis, if not much can at least make people get relived of their pain.

Hypnosis reduces pain:

Hypnosis Treatment can reduce pain to great extent and it is often used to minimise the level of pain before any surgery. There are proven studies that hypnosis has been able to reduce pain among patients who had surgeries.

Also those patients, who were hypnotised, showed quick recovery. The surgeons can perform hypnosis instead of administering anaesthesia to patients before a surgery.

Uses of hypnosis:

Hypnosis Treatment can be performed to help people reduce the stress levels and cure insomnia, as the body tends to relax after the hypnosis is done. It is also beneficial to motivate people and help them to overcome their fears.

Hypnosis has also helped people to reduce smoking habits and maintain healthy life style. It has also been able to correct problems of speech.

Hypnosis for mental disorders:

Hypnotism has made remarkable achievements in curing people with mental disorders. Hypnotic therapies have proved successful in healing the patients who were mentally handicapped.

Mental sicknesses such as Depression, Phobia, Schizophrenia, and Amnesia can be healed through Hypnosis. This treatment may be used to calm the senses and restore the disturbed frame of mind. It may be used to bring about behavioural improvements in patients.

Hypnosis can be helpful in inducing positive thoughts when other forms of cure have failed. The allopathic drugs, shock treatments are not helpful in curing the patients completely.

Hypnosis Treatment has permanent effect and eradicates disease from the source, and ensures that it does not relapse. With hypnosis all negative feelings are eliminated and replaced with blissful thoughts.

In the recent days, most untreatable ailments of the past have been conquered. A huge sum of money is spent on medical research. New insights and investigations are now being documented more often. There are new devices and procedures to treat chronic ailments. New methods of surgical procedures are now being fashioned.

In these days, people have become health conscious and try different means to get healthier. It has become the universal phenomenon because many of them are living in unhealthy conditions. There are many who include nutritional supplements in their diet.

While there may be some who prefer to take herbal remedies to treat their chronic ailments. Still there are some who take on Naturopathic Medicine as the means to lead a life that is not dependent on traditional medicines and treatments.

Many have heard of the benefits of Homeopathy but there are few who are aware of Naturopathy treatments.

Origin of Naturopathy:

The term “Naturopathy” was given by John Scheel in the year 1895, in Europe, on the basis of Nature Cure Movement that was very popular in those days.

After several years, the naturopathy movement was introduced by Benedict Lust in the United States. Naturopathy in those days was mainly aimed at curing and getting rid of the harsh toxins from the body such as alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

Naturopathy began to disappear in around twentieth century with popularity of surgery and traditional medicines. However Naturopathic Treatment is reviving, and offers safe and effective healing with natural therapies as mode of health care.

Naturopathic Treatment as Natural Therapy:

The physicians of Naturopathy are trained for natural health care remedies. They are trained to give suggestions to the patients on how to improve overall health conditions, and provide advice on keeping healthy, and use the naturopathic medicine treatment for curing chronic and acute ailments.

Naturopathic professionals prefer not to resort to surgeries, or pharmaceuticals, and adopt natural remedies such as herbs and herbal products. They decide the full course of treatment only after performing diagnosis tests on the patients. They refer to surgery and prescribed medicine when necessary.

At a time when there is environmental pollution, unhealthy diet and stress which have adverse effect on health; naturopathy is gaining popularity with its use of natural remedies of healing.

By using naturopathic medicine which has no harmful effects, the practitioners are able to treat patients with chronic diseases successfully.

Osteopathy is a method that includes bone and body manipulation or it is also described as a manipulative technique of finding and healing faulty structure of patients. Osteopathic Treatment is carried out by detecting the faults in a particular manner and then giving some sharp, short jerks.

Apart from the scientific inspection, osteopathic treatment relies on some palpatory diagnosis of patients like feel of tissue, muscles, and other activities at joints to name a few. According to various researches, osteopathy identifies structural abnormalities of spine and the main aim of osteopathy is to normalize these abnormalities.

Methods of Osteopathy Manipulation:

Osteopathy or Osteopathic Treatment is basically a technique that makes use of body manipulation to restore the distressed muscles and make them easy to work. Following are the four manipulation methods which are used for osteopathy treatment.

• Direct Method: In direct method, pressure is applied straightly on the spine and this method is generally used by Chiropractors.

• Indirect Method: The second method of manipulation is indirect method in which pressure is applied indirectly through legs, shoulders and pelvis, while no pressure is applied directly on spine.

• Semi Indirect Method: In semi indirect method, pressure is exerted to manipulated segments with the use of hand, chest or knee.

• Constant Pressure: This method involves applying of regular pressure to cranial area.

Osteopathy and Chiropractic are different from each other in terms of manipulation and Osteopathy is a medically qualified technique.

Principles of Osteopathy:

The Osteopathy works upon the following principles.

• Body is a system in which functions and structure are interrelated reciprocally.

• Human body possesses a mechanism of self-regulatory.

• Human body has enough capacity to detect and repair abnormalities itself.

• The movement of fluids of human body is necessary to maintain good health.

• Nerves have an important role in controlling body fluids.

The main benefit of having a osteopathic treatment is that people will get more relief from pain and will require less medicine for treatment. Osteopathy provides relief to people of all ages including children and seniors.

Cranial Osteopathy is safe, effective and is a specialized treatment generally for children, babies and this treatment should be carried out before the age of five. At the end, it can be said that Osteopathy is a gentle treatment that involves manual technique to cure pain and swelling.

The treatment is based on the basic idea that rule of nature may be helpful in understanding the body functions. The body like the creation is subject to many constant opposing forces which manifest themselves into the body and have little or much activity in organs.

If there is an imbalance between the forces, it can create a blockage in the flow of vital energy called “qi” or “chee” in Chinese, which travels to the body along the invisible pathways or meridians.

The practitioners of TCM usually use herbs and acupuncture to treat the blocked vital energy and bring the body back in harmony and well being.

What procedures are involved in treatments?

Most practitioners of TCM will diagnose the mental and emotional condition of the patients before treating the physical symptoms. They may take the pulse readings of different organs, check colour of tongue, and then follow the customised treatment which is designed to improve the overall health condition rather than treating particular ailment or injury.

In most case, the practitioners deploy acupuncture to stimulate the senses on certain points of meridian to bring the vital energy into balance. They may also apply some sort of burning herbs, by a method called moxibustion, or use suction cups and perform deep tissue massages.

A combination of herbs and other ingredients may be prescribed which are designed to correct the imbalances which are causing trouble. The herbs can be brewed into strong tea or it may be in the form of pills or in extract form.

Other than medications, the practitioners may recommend certain exercises or martial arts which combine breathing techniques, meditation, movement, balance and strengthen the vital organs.

How it works?

The Chinese believe that acupuncture can redirect the flow of vital energy within the body and some herbs can strengthen certain weak organs and some soothe over active ones. There are studied reports which prove that acupuncture can heal and provide relieve for back pain, migraines, headaches, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Most practitioners of TCM are acupuncture specialists who are also trained in different Chinese herbal medications. Acupuncture is quite safe and as long as disposable needles are used, there will be no infection. To get most benefit of Traditional Chinese medicine one should be visiting a qualified and skilled practitioner.