Did You Know That… Alternative Medicine

Did you know that long ago, there was no conventional medicine like today? All medicine was alternative, based on a holistic approach to all conditions and diseases. Read on to learn more.

What is Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is a medicine that uses health practices and products instead of standard, evidence-based medical treatments. It includes the practice of massage, acupressure, herbs, nutrition, body cleansing, fasting and meditation among other means used and aimed at disease prevention and promoting vibrant health through balance of mind, body, spirit and environment. Among the oldest and most famous ancient alternative medicines are Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional healers would decide on the treatment of each patient based on the physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental image of the patient. They would base their healing on balance, harmony and energy. Conventional medicine focuses on the physical problem, treating the symptoms, while alternative medicine emphasises the cause of the physical problem and its cure. Both Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine became popular in the Western world in the twentieth century.

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies are based on a holistic approach to health, taking into account the mind, body and spirit as a whole. More and more people are becoming aware that diseases are caused by poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, stress and imbalance of the mind, body and spirit, so they are trying to achieve balance and find a cure by reaching out for alternative therapies.

An example of alternative therapies in the field of energy is Reiki, Qigong and Electromagnetic therapy. As a consequence of the connection between body and mind, people heal much faster if they have decent emotional and mental health. Meditation and hypnosis are among the alternative treatments that use the mind.

Alternative Medicine Practices

Alternative medicine can be classified into 5 major categories of practices, which include whole medical systems, mind-body techniques, biologically based practices, manipulative and body-based therapies and energy therapies.

Nowadays, there are numerous traditional and complementary medicine practices used in the West. Some of them include:

Optimal health can also be achieved by body therapies like:

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➥ DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace medical treatment. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.