Traditional medicine is largely mechanistic treating the
body as a machine with separate parts to be treated separately. Alternative, or
complementary, medicine treats the body holistically, dealing with the whole
body in its environment. In the past
alternative methods, many of them ancient have been ignored by physicians.
Today, however certain types of alternative medicine are used increasingly to
complement traditional methods.
Acupressure: ancient Chinese and Japanese healing massage
using fingertips pressure on pain relieving points around the body. These pressure points lie along the meridians
used in Acupuncture. Acupressure balances the flow of Qi or Chi, the energy
flowing through the meridians.
Acupuncture: Treatment of illness by sticking special
needles into one or more of 2000 specific points that lie along invisible
channels called meridians. This ancient Chinese therapy is believed to control
the flow of Qi, the energy flowing along the meridians. Used in the treatment
of arthritis, allergy, back pain and many other disorders.
Alexander technique: A method used to retain the body’s
movements, positions and posture during all activities including sitting or
reading. The method, which must be learned from qualified teachers, is believed
to encourage good mental and physical health, and resistance to stress, by
promoting harmony between mind and body.
Aromatherapy: Use of
concentrated plant oils such as bergamot, eucalyptus or rosemary to treat
conditions including stress, headaches and arthritis. Extracts, or essential
oils, are massaged into the skin by aroma therapists; they can also be inhaled
or added to baths.
Art therapy: Use of drawing and painting to encourage
patients to explore and resolve deep seated fears and emotions that they find
difficult to express in words. Used to treat addiction, alcoholism, anorexia
and other conditions.
