OUTSIDE HELP: ‘NON TRADITIONAL’ HEALING
How Can a 3000 Year Old Care Be ‘Alternative’?
The only absolute is the absolute of change. This must mean YOU can change, in fact you MUST change. It means you can heal – it is nature’s will. It is natural that you will not always be afflicted with the same conditions. Alternative care usually tends to work with Nature’s will to heal.
Most doctors will tell you that a well balanced diet and is the key to health, but then they are usually unwilling to say that a lack of good food or the wrongs foods contribute to poor health.
So we see doctors and they prescribe some very official sounding cure-all which most often they don’t even understand fully. Unfortunately drug manufacturers have strong controlling interest over the medical community. They support the medical schools and give free samples and incentives to doctors to prescribe their products. Doctors give out pills to cover up and erase problems. Alternative care practitioners usually look for causes of problems and look to control or eradicate them by going to the source.
One of my biggest gripes about the 20th Century medical climate is how easily we pop pills without thinking about the consequences. Every time you eat an apple it affects your body chemistry in many subtle ways. And every time you take any medication whether prescribed or over-the-counter it also affects your body chemistry, though often in ways beyond your original intention.
It becomes up to the lay person to go out and find any information on alternative modes of healing. And sometimes there are unscrupulous manufacturers of products who put people’s health at risk and even well-meaning people who want to heal, but just don’t have enough correct information to do a thorough job. And one bad apple can give the whole bunch a bad name.
The Leg Bone’s Connected to the Thigh Bone…
The human body is a whole organic unit and the skin is intricately connected to the operation of every one of the 12 systems in the body: skeletal, muscular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, reproductive, integumentary (skin, hair nails, oil and sweat glands), lymphatic, excretory, urinary, circulatory, and nervous systems. Imbalance in almost any one of these systems can cause skin eruptions. And often the administration of drugs by Western medicine without a thorough understanding of its causes can lead to an eventual aggravation of the problem. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, skin lesions such as acne, boils, or abscesses, are caused by an internal systemic imbalance and the use of antibiotics only furthers this imbalance.
As with traditional medicine however, different caretakers take different approaches to healing. Below is a list of some types of the non-traditional healers:
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Massage Therapist
A therapeutic massage therapist usually locates specific parts of your body where tension is held and relieves it by applying pressure with their hands. Massage promotes circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system which are both important for healthy functioning skin.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Acupressurist/Accupuncturist
Acupressure is based on a 5000 year old Chinese tradition which believes that there is a flow of energy throughout the body called chi and any interruption of this flow results in disease. The body is broken into ‘energy channels’ which relate to specific body functions. In order to stimulate the flow of energy through channels that are blocked, pressure, heat, or needle points are set on the corresponding points.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Reflexologist
Similar to accupressure in that specific points on the body are applied with pressure in order to stimulate healing. The points are based on ‘relfex’ areas on the hands and feet that affect other body systems.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Colonics Operator
Colon hydrotherapy is a common treatment in the alternative medical world. Many health authorities believe that most disease is the result of an unhealthy and clogged colon. A Colonics Operator should be certified and will use safe pre-sterilized, disposable hoses and speculums.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapy can be especially helpful in controlling habitual behavior. A hypnotist helps to narrow the focus of the patient through visualizations other stimulus to induce a trance-like state. During this trance state the subconscious is more open to suggestion. A common myth about hypnosis is that it involves mind control or brainwashing. It is neither of these. It simply involves being relaxed and comfortable enough so that you are willing to let the hypnotists lead to your own natural healing inclinations. Self hypnosis is also possible by inducing this same relaxed state where self improvement can begin.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Naturopath (N.D.)
A naturopath uses the standard diagnostic medical tools, x-ray, blood tests, etc., but also relies on the medical information of other cultures such as Ayurvedic (Indian), Acupuncture (Chinese), Native American and Hippocratic (Greek). Recommended treatment is usually alternative such as homeopathy, nutrition, acupuncture, massage, counseling, or lifestyle changes. Naturopathy is based on 6 key principles: nature has the power to heal; treat the cause, not the effect; do not harm; treat the whole person; physician is teacher; prevention is the best cure.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Homeopath
Homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars or the concept that ‘like cures like’. The idea is that the same substance that causes the disease in the first place can cure the disease if administered in a very minute amount. A homeopath may also use conventional diagnostic methods, but also includes extensive background history on patients in order to assess the proper remedies.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Chiropractor (D.C.)
The art of chiropratic treatment is based on the concept that central nervous system is directly effected by the spinal column and the entire musculoskeleton structure. When the spinal column or any other part of the musculoskeleton structure is out of alignment in any way it can throw off the health of the entire body or of specific portions of it. The chiropractor adjusts the spine and various joints to stimulate the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Chiropractors use hot and cold packs, massage, ultrasound and x-rays to facilitate healing.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Oriental Medicine Doctor (O.M.D.)
An OMD practices the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a 3000 year old healing system. An OMD looks at the whole patient and tries to identify unharmonious patterns which cause disease. This is done by examining the eyes, ears, tongue, skin color, posture, body odor and other personal factors. Treatment may consist of acupuncture, herbs, diet changes, massage and exercise.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Ayurveda (ayurvedic)
Ayurveda is an ancient healing art from India. It is based on the concept that there are basic metabolic body types or ‘doshas’. These types are Vata (thin), Pitta(med), and Kapha(large). Each type has certain constitutional characteristics such as coloring, mood or emotional outlook, and eating and sleeping patterns. Treatment is based on your body type and may include dietary adjustments, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, and various herbal preparations. Imbalances are identified through the tongue, pulse points, and blood composition.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Orthomolecular Physician
An Orthomolecular Physician is just like a regular MD except that treatment is primarily centered around dietary imbalance and deficiencies. They will prescribe vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients to promote healing.
Types of Healers: Bodyworkers – Nutritionist
Nutritionists obviously focus on what you eat and how you eat it. The patient keeps a diet diary and the nutritionists makes recommendations to help further health.
