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Alternative Medicines
Alternative medicines are varied and many different things. Most of the medical establishment may not endorse or even recommend them. Indeed they may call them worthless and unproven and yes even dangerous. Still I think everyone of us has thought about or tried one or more of these unorthodox means of taking charge of our illnesses and well being. And many of these ways really do help some.
Over the last several years modern medicine has often started to include some of these methods. Whispers will attempt to give a brief description of several of them at this time and will depict a few each month in much further detail. Some of these may be familiar to us, not realizing that they are considered to be alternative medicine, while others are terribly foreign to us and we have an instant aversion to them. We must use our heads and common sense to decipher if they are really good or not. For each of the alternative medicines we describe, we have linked to other places on the web that can explain more fully and for most we have been able to find a site for both the pros for the therapy and the skeptical highlights so we can try to weigh out what we read with more of an unbiased manner. We neither condemn or condone any of these therapies.
Chinese Medicine Massage and meditation techniques In order to find out more about such things please follow the linost Chinese medicines are centered around the energy Chi (Chee) and keeping it flowing some are with needles such as acupuncture, or acupressure Tai-Chi, Yoga, and some with mk below:
Kinesiology The theory of Applied Kinesiology was developed by Dr George Goodheart DC. after he noted that weakness in certain muscles could be corrected by massaging seemingly unrelated muscles. Within this theory Overall health is seen as involving a complex interaction among structural, chemical and mental components, all requiring different therapies. Such as Structural health requires such things as dentistry as well as chiropractic and acupuncture. Chemical health is treated through herbal remedies and conventional medications. Mental Health is managed through relaxation, energy medicine and Bach flower remedies. According to applied kinesiology, the various muscle groups are connected to the body's vital organs and systems through interconnected "energy circuits" similar to the theory in acupressure. To diagnose a problem, the strength of large muscles are tested. Practicing kinesiologists claim to be able to diagnose and treat most ailments; especially chronic problems such as asthma related to allergies and environmental toxicity.
Donal O'Mathuna & Walt Larimore MD."Alternative Medicine the Christian Handbook" Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is is the systematic use of essential oils to attempt to improve your well-being. Plants contain many constituents, including compounds that are not water soluble, These compounds can be extracted from plants using other oils like olive oil by pressing the plants, or by using heat distillation of the oils. Many essential oils produced like this have pleasant aromas and are then diluted with other oils like sunflower oil or sweet almond oil, and the result is massaged into the skin by the aroma therapist. Many products are sold today as oils to be placed in our bath water or as a body splash. Not only to make us both feel good and smell good. Even to making baby bath with some of these ingredients to help babies fall asleep easier.
Biofeedback Biofeedback is a method used to train your body to use its autonomic responses to benefit your health. It is like training your autonomic responses similar to your automatic reflexes and movement when driving your car or riding a bike, It just comes naturally once you start doing it. With the biofeedback machine the therapist attaches a device such as an EMG (electromyography) instrument to your body. The machine can measure the electrical activity of your muscles, the temperature of your skin or the dampness of the skin. An indicator of how tense you are might be a sound that rises or lowers in pitch, a dial with a needle that moves, or it could be some other auditory or visual device. No matter which device that is used, it is really a short term AID to learn how to consciously make the desired changes in their bodies without needing a machine to tell them how well they are doing.
Chiropractic Chiropractory stresses proper alignment of the spine assures good health. Misalignments called subluxations interfere with the body's natural ability to heal itself and thus need to be corrected by manipulation. Subluxations are displaced vertebrae that somehow disrupt the flow of nerve impulses through the spine causing pain and physical illness Chiropractors use x-rays and their hands to determine where manipulation is needed. One form of manipulation is done quickly using hand thrusts involving different amounts of force. The manipulations causes "adjustments" that are usually accompanied by a loud cracking noise. Another form of manipulation involves slower and gentler movements. With both , relief may be immediate or may require a number of visits or may come after an initial period of increased discomfort. Chiropractic can be a legitimate intervention, bringing welcome relief for specific muscular and skeletal conditions. Many chiropractors claim it is more cost effective than conventional medicine. While many orthodox medical people claim it really costs more
Craniosacral Therapy Cranialsacral therapy is a variation of an older therapy "cranial osteopathy" and was developed in the 1970's by an osteopathic physician. Though it is derived from an osteopath viewpoint it is not viewed as part of osteopathic medicine. Cranial Osteopathy, of which craniosacral therapy is based evolved from two controversial ideas. The first is the belief that the bones of the cranium (the part of the skull that surrounds the brain) can be moved relative to one another. (This is true for babies when movement of these bones are needed for childbirth. The second controversy deals with the cerebrospinal fluid and the idea of cranial rhythmic impulse. Cerebral spinal fluid brings nutrients and protection to the brain and spinal column. Cranial osteopaths claim they can restore CRI to normal by using pressure to adjust the relative positions of the cranial bones. Cranial sacral therapy also focuses on the membranes and connective tissue around the spine and skull while cranial osteopathy focuses on the bones. The goal of both therapies is restoration of an even rhythmic CRI in spinal fluid and the therapy is believed to improve the function of the central nervous system, the immune system and other systems.
Donal O'Mathuna & Walt Larimore MD."Alternative Medicine the Christian Handbook"
Homeopathy In the latter 1700's to mid 1800's Dr Samuel Hahnemann from Germany was typical of many medical practitioners working during a time when commonly practiced medicine was extremely harsh and cruel and severe. Often using bloodletting, blistering or purging as typical treatments. They felt people suffered needlessly and most of these treatments were ineffective. He wanted to find a milder and safer system so he and his assistants began experimenting on themselves with a series of tests they called provings and developed several theories: 1. Law of Similarities: If a substance produces a specific set of symptoms in a healthy person, it will cure people of the illness that has the same symptoms provided it is diluted repeatedly. i.e.. when quinine is given to healthy people they will have symptoms similar to those experienced by people who suffer from malaria, extremely diluted solutions of quinine are felt to cure malaria. and similarly, belladonna given to healthy people produces fevers, flushing, muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms, likewise homeopathic belladonna is used to treat colds and flu Many of the remedies are made by the homeopath in his office. which adds a sense of more personalized medicine. The remedies are made by dissolving plant, mineral animal or chemical products in water and alcohol. Though much more dilute than when using herbs and drugs. 2. The Law of Potentization claims the more diluted a substance the higher ist potency. The most traditional explanation is based on life energy theories and vitalism. Vital energy is the same as CHI in Chinese medicine. Thus a substance that produces those same symptoms works with the body's vital energy to promote self healing. Homeopaths vary considerably in what they claim to be able to treat. Some limit the claims to to chronic illnesses while others may claim to treat most every disease known to man.
Donal O'Mathuna & Walt Larimore MD."Alternative Medicine the Christian Handbook" Hypnosis We all have certain visions of what hypnosis is and how it is done, but it is really hard to get a firm grasp on exactly what hypnotism is and does. We have all seen the shows done for entertainment and have grand ideas in our minds about hypnosis. Different methods are used to induce hypnosis and there are controversies about just how to verify that someone is under a hypnotic trance. What almost everyone agrees upon though, is that hypnosis induces an altered state of consciousness---that in which the mind is not under the usual control of rational logical faculties or consciousness. Daydreaming, tuning out what goes on around you and even sleeping are altered states of consciousness. Hypnosis is another kind of altered state of consciousness, Some experts believe people in hypnotic states are alert and in control, while others believe people in trances are not fully alert yet they are not asleep either. Per John Court" having a person focus attention and filter out external distractions can induce a hypnotic state. Repetition helps as in rhythmic drum beating, counting backwards, ticking of a clock or metronome. As the persons focus narrows, left brain thinking ( that is that is logical and rational) becomes less dominant and right sided brain thinking is facilitated. This may leave a person open to imagery and visualization, which are used during hypnosis. While in a hypnotic state people are more passive than active. They wait and listen for things to happen rather than actively doing things. They are open to suggestion and ideas in this state. This is the state where the therapist can say your arm is numb and you feel no pain while a physician is doing minor surgery on the arm. We are cautioned to never have someone do the hypnotic therapy unless they are fully licensed and trustworthy. Hypnosis can do many wonders and a sort of self hypnosis is accomplished in meditation and visualization sessions..
Massage Therapy Massage therapy refers to a broad group of therapies that involve rubbing or moving the skin around. This was the main foundation of Physical therapy at one time. This went by the wayside over the years faded from the physical therapy because of all the other forms of therapy and equipment that became available. Also massage parlors with sexual touching made it less kindly looked at and taken out of the medical setting. However once again massage therapy is receiving renewed interest and respectability for the medical field. Many different types of massage are now available and massage is incorporated into a number of other therapies. The best known is the Swedish massage in which the hands move over the skin in long gliding strokes. The muscles may be kneaded or light friction is applied to the skin Bodywork is another name for various forms of massage that also tend to include life energy (CHI) healing. Some of these are only slight modifications of Reiki, Healing touch and therapeutic touch none of which necessarily involve actual physical contact...for more:
Meditation Meditation has broad applications of both healthy and unhealthy activities it is hard to get a consistent agreement on what it consists of. One's idea of meditation may be sitting quietly while willing his body to relax while another's idea is to tune out everything going on around him while daydreaming or concentrating on something that is not the primary concern for the moment. Another person may take a walk or start to do something else while thinking about a problem to establish creative solutions to the problem. while for others meditation is a means of contacting the spirits. Most of the meditation used in alternative therapy originates in the Eastern religions and mysticism. Transcendental Meditation is an adaptation of the older concepts. Generally you sit comfortably focusing your thoughts on something that minimizes troubling or distracting thoughts. You may focus on your own breathing, concentrating on a formula given by a spiritual master or just an ordinary phrase. With practice people can consciously relax their muscles and learn to control other bodily functions not normally under conscious control. Since Stress can underlie numerous health problems, the relief from much of the stress and anxiety that you can receive from meditation makes it have the potential to bring about many health benefits if used in a healthy manner.
Shamanism Shamanism or shamanic medicine is thought to be the oldest form of medicine still being used today. Most of the tribal type societies have their shamans these may be called medicine men, holy men, witch doctors or sorcerers just to mention a few of the names used. His work was usually both the priest for the tribe and the healer . In todays times the shaman usually still combine the rituals for both. Modern day shamans sometimes include more conventional therapies including counceling and medicines. The emphasis is put on what the word shaman actually means, it is defined as "to know". They go through long apprenticeships in which they learn how contact and deal with spirits of ancestors, animals or demons.
Herbal and Vitamin therapy will be discussed on the Home Remedy page.
Donal O'Mathuna & Walt Larimore MD."Alternative Medicine the Christian Handbook"
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