Complementary & Alternative Therapies

Acupressure (Shiatsu)

Pressure is applied with fingers, palms, thumbs, or elbows to specific pressure points of the body to stimulate and regulate the flow of energy; based on the belief that Chi (life energy) flows through meridians (pathways) in the body, and illness and pain occur when the flow is blocked; used to treat muscular-joint pain, depression, digestive problems, and respiratory disorders; Shiatsu is the Japanese form of acupressure

Acupuncture

Ancient Chinese therapy that involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points along the meridians (pathways) in the body to stimulate and balance the flow of energy; at times, heat (moxibustion) or electrical stimulation is applied to the needles; based on the belief that Chi (life energy) flows through the meridians, and illness and pain occur when the flow is blocked; used to relieve pain (especially headache and back pain), reduce stress-related illnesses, and treat drug dependency and obesity

Antioxidantss (Free Radicals)

Nutritional therapy that encourages the use of substances called antioxidants to prevent or inhibit oxidation (a chemical process in which a substance is joined to oxygen) and neutralize free radicals (molecules that can damage body cells by altering the genetic code); examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, and selenium; antioxidants may prevent heart disease, cataracts, and some types of cancer.

Aromatherapy

Therapeutic use of selected fragrances (concentrated essences or essential oils that have been extracted from roots, bark, plants, and/or flowers) to alter mood and restore the body, mind, and spirit; fragrances may also be diluted in oils for massages or placed in warm water or candles for inhalation; used to relieve tense muscles and tension headaches or backaches, lower blood pressure, and create a stimulating, uplifting, relaxing or soothing effect

Biofeedback

Relaxation therapy that uses monitoring devices to provide a patient with information about his/her reaction to stress by showing the effect of stress on heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, muscle tension, and skin temperature; patient is then taught relaxation methods to gain voluntary control over these physical responses; used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), migraine headaches, and stress-related illnesses, and to enhance relaxation

Healing Touch (Reiki)

Ancient Japanese/Tibetan healing art based on the idea that disease causes an imbalance in the body's energy field; begins with centering (inward focus of total serenity) before gentle hand pressure is applied to the body's chakras (energy centers) to harness and balance the life energy force, help clear blockages, and stimulate healing; at times, hands are positioned slightly above the energy centers; used to promote relaxation, reduce pain, and promote wound healing

Herbal or Botanical Medicine

Herbal medicine treatments that have been used in almost all cultures since primitive times; based on the belief that herbs and plant extracts from roots, stems, seeds, flowers, and leaves contain compounds that alter blood chemistry, remove impurities, strengthen the immune system, and protect against disease.

Homeopathy

Treatment based on using very minute, dilute doses of drugs made from natural substances to produce symptoms of the disease being treated; based on the belief that these substances stimulate the immune system to remove toxins and heal the body; very controversial form of treatment

Hydrotherapy

Type of treatment that uses water in any form, internally and externally, for healing purposes; common external examples include water aerobics and exercises, massage in or under water, soaking in hot springs or tubs, and steam vapors; a common internal examples is a diet that encourages drinking large amounts of water to help cleanse the body and stimulate the digestive tract

Hypnotherapy (Hypnosis)

Technique used to induce a trancelike state so a person is more receptive to suggestion; enhances a person's ability to form images; used to encourage desired behavior changes such as losing weight, stopping smoking, reducing stress, and relieving pain

Imagery

Technique of using the imagination and as many senses as possible to visualize a pleasant and soothing image; used to decrease tension, anxiety, and adverse effects of chemotherapy

Ionization Therapy

Special machines called air ionizers are used to produce negatively charged air particles or ions; used to treat common respiratory disorders

Macrobiotic Diet

Macrobiotic (meaning "long life") is a nutrition therapy based on the Taoist concept of the balance between yin (cold, death, and darkness) and yang (heat, life, and light) and the belief that different foods represent yin (sweet foods) and yang (meat and eggs); the diet encourages balanced foods such as brown rice, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and fish; discourages overindulgence in yin or yang foods; emphasizes that processed and treated foods, red meat, sugar, dairy products, eggs, and caffeine should be avoided; similar to the American Dietary Association's low-fat, low-cholesterol, and high fiber diet

Meditation

Therapy that teaches breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to quiet the mind by focusing attention on obtaining a sense of oneness within oneself; used to reduce stress and pain, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and stimulate relaxation

Pet Therapy

Therapy that uses pets, such as dogs, cats, and birds, to enhance health and stimulate an interest in life; helps individuals overcome physical limitations, decrease depression, increase self-esteem, socialize, and lower stress levels and blood pressure

Phytochemicals

Nutritional therapy that recommends foods containing phytochemicals (nonnutritive plant chemicals that store nutrients and provide aroma and color in plants) with the belief that the chemicals help prevent disease; phytochemicals are found mainly in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, so these are recommended for daily consumption; used to prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, and cataracts

Play Therapy

Therapy that uses toys to allow children to learn about situations, share experiences, and express their emotions; important aspect of psychotherapy for children with limited language ability

Positive Thought

Therapy that involves developing self-awareness, self-esteem, and love for oneself to allow the body to heal itself and eliminate disease; based on the belief that disease is a negative process that can be reversed by an individual's mental processes

Reflexology

Ancient healing art based on the concept that the body is divided into ten equal zones that run from the head to the toes; illness or disease of a body part causes deposits of calcium or acids in the corresponding part of the foot; therapy involves applying pressure on specific points on the foot so energy movement is directed toward the affected body part; used to promote healing and relaxation, reduce stress, improve circulation, and treat asthma, sinus infections, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, and constipation.

Spiritual Therapies

Therapies based on the belief that a state of wholeness or health depends not only on physical health but also the spiritual aspects of an individual; uses prayer, meditation, self-evaluation, and spiritual guidance to allow an individual to use the powers within to increase the sense of well-being and promote healing

Tai Chi

Therapies based on the ancient theory that health is harmony with nature and the universe and a balanced state of yin (cold) and yang (heat); uses a series of sequential, slow, graceful, and precise body movements combined with breathing techniques to improve energy flow (Chi) within the body; improves stamina, balance, and coordination and leads to a sense of well-being; used to treat digestive disorders, stress, depression, and arthritis.

Therapeutic (Swedish) Massage

Treatment that uses kneeling, gliding, tapping, and vibration motions of the hands to increase circulation of blood and lymph, relieve musculoskeletal stiffness, pain, and spasm, increase range of motion, and induce relaxation.

Therapeutic Touch

Therapy based on an ancient healing practice with the belief that illness is an imbalance in an individual's energy field; the practitioner assesses alterations or changes in a patient's energy fields, places his/her hands on or slightly above the patient's body, and balances the energy flow to stimulate self-healing; used to encourage relaxation, stimulate wound healing, increase the energy level, and decrease anxiety.

Yoga

Hindu discipline that uses concentration, specific positions, and ancient ritual movements to maintain the balance and flow of life energy; encourages the use of both the body and mind to achieve a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility; used to increase the spiritual enlightenment and well-being, develop an awareness of the body to improve coordination, relieve stress and anxiety, and increase muscle tone

Ayurvedic practitioners

They use an ancient philosophy, ayurveda, which was developed in India, to determine a person's predominant dosha (body type) and prescribe diet, herbal treatment, exercise, yoga, massage, minerals, and living practices to restore and maintain harmony in the body

Chinese medicine practitioners

use an ancient holistic-based healing practice based on the belief that life energy (Chi) flows through every living person in an invisible system of meridians (pathways), linking the organs together and connecting them to the external environment or universe; they use acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, and herbal remedies to maintain the proper flow of energy and promote health

Chiropractors

believe that the brain sends vital energy to all body parts through nerves in the spinal cord, and, when there is a misalignment of the vertebrae (bones), pressure is placed on spinal nerves that results in disease and pain; they use spinal manipulation, massage, and exercise to adjust the position of the vertebrae and restore the flow of energy

Homeopaths

believe in the ability of the body to heal itself through the actions of the immune system; they use minute diluted doses of drugs made from plant, animal, and mineral substances to cause symptoms similar to the disease and activate the immune system

Hypnotists

help an individual obtain a trancelike state with the belief that the person will be receptive to verbal suggestions and make a desired behavior change

Naturopaths

use only natural therapies such as fasting, special diets, lifestyle changes, and supportive approaches to promote healing; they avoid the use of surgery or medicinal agents to treat disease