Best Way to Understand Different Kinds of Complementary Therapies

No longer pigeonholed as ‘alternative’, holistic therapies and Eastern healing methods have gained credence by treating the cause rather than just the symptoms of a whole range of health and beauty problems, from spotty skin to poor posture.

Acupressure works according to the same principles as acupuncture but uses finger pressure rather than needles to stimulate the acupoints. Having located the main pressure points on your body (with the help of a therapist or good book), you can treat yourself by applying pressure to these points.

Acupuncture is an age-old Chinese therapy that concentrates on the twelve meridians or energy channels which, according to Chinese philosophy, circulate our body and correspond with various body organs. The therapist inserts fine needles into the key pressure points, unblocking the meridians and encouraging the release of chi, the body’s energy flow. It can treat such beauty problems as acne, and can alleviate dark, under-eye shadows that could be due to a sluggish liver or sinus problems.

Ayurveda treats patients using herbal remedies, oils, massage and detoxifying regimes. This ancient Indian healing system is based on three biological forces or energies, called doshas, together with the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. By restoring the doshic balance -the body’s energy – it can successfully treat skin conditions and other beauty problems.

Colonic irrigation – During this procedure, the colon is flushed out with water, which both cleanses it and frees any toxic waste that might be clinging to its walls and preventing the absorption of nutrients. It is regarded as being good for skin problems and general well-being.

Cranial osteopathy – This is a gentle form of osteopathy that does not involve any bone-crunching manipulation. By working on the neck and head to release tension and realign the spine, cranial osteopathy is a great antidote to stress and also helps to unblock sinuses, thus ameliorating under-eye shadows.

Herbalism – Herbal medicine treats many ailments as effectively as conventional drugs, but without their side effects. For example, echinacea has become a ‘wonder’ herb for boosting the immune system and fighting such skin conditions as acne, while St John’s Wort is lauded as the herbal equivalent of the anti­depressant Prozac. You have the option to visit a herbalist, or purchase herbal preperations, such as echinacea, from health stores or pharmacies.

Homeopathy – Therapists believe that many superficial health and beauty problems are caused by underlying disorders, so homeopathic diagnosis involves investigating the patient’s lifestyle and medical history. Based on the same principle as inoculation (treating like with like), minuscule amounts of homeopathic substances are used to help treat a barrage of problems, from skin complaints to overcoming blushing.

Hypnotherapy – Let me assure you that hypnotherapy is not an entertainment-style hypnotic technique in which you are put into a trance at the click of a finger and told to respond to ridiculous demands. Hypnotherapy simply puts you in a state of deep relaxation, which naturally alters your awareness to the level into which we all drift several times a day. Hypnotherapy can help to break bad habits, particularly smoking and binging.

Naturopathy – Using a combination of diet, fresh air, water and relaxation, naturopaths believe in the power of nature to heal. Some therapists also practice homeopathy, herbalism and osteopathy, along with their naturopathic treatments. The elimination of toxins plays an important part in naturopathy: practitioners may, for instance, suggest a fast or a wholefood, vegetarian diet.

Osteopathy – Working on the body’s skeletal framework, osteopaths manipulate the spine and joints to realign bones, muscles and ligaments. Osteopathy is considered good for treating backache, migraine and neck problems, which are often a result of injury or bad posture.

Reflexology – Certain points on the feet correspond to the body’s major organs and, by using thumb pressure on these points and discovering tender spots, practitioners can diagnose any problems. To help alleviate the disorder, therapists use acupressure and massage on the corresponding points.

Reiki – An ancient form of Tibetan healing that is best described as the ‘laying-on of hands’, in which energy is channelled through the hands of the healer to the patient. The healing works on all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.