Traditionally, the first response to any type of medical issue is conventional medicine.  There is, however, another option. Alternative medicine is sometimes considered the oldest medicine in the world.

Alternative medicine envelops the concept of seeking out non-traditional ways to deal with day-to-day health issues. This type of medicine looks beyond taking medication.

People look to use alternative medicine for two main reasons

* The first is because of the idea that taking medications can potentially lead to unhealthy results such as dependencies and side effects.
* The second is because of the natural curiosity of man to find better methods to heal.

Alternative medicine encompasses many different therapies, such as hypnosis, color therapy, yoga, meditation, herbal remedies, vitamin therapy, and many more.

The main focus of alternative medicine is that life is a combination of parts that includes more than the treatment of disease. There is a definite focus on living life well, happily, and with purpose.  It is believed that this is an essential part of healthy living.

We will explore the many different components of alternative medicine, and how it can help you. Consider using the ideas captured here next time you feel ill to begin feeling better naturally.

Alternative Medicine & Its History

Treatments Beyond Conventional

When most people get sick, they look to conventional methods of medical treatment for relief and healing. There are alternative methods of treatment that are becoming increasingly popular.

What treatments are considered “conventional?”  Prescription medication, traditional surgery, and computerized scientific testing are three examples of conventional medicine. Most physicians support conventional medicine in their practices, so when seeing a doctor, it is highly likely you will be advised to follow conventional medical advice.

The decision to use conventional medicine should be made by the patient and doctor on a case by case basis. An alteration to the type of treatment is sometimes all that is needed to feel better. 

Alternative treatments include:

• Herbal remedies
• Massage
• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Many more!

Patients will often find themselves turning to alternative methods of treatment when conventional methods are ineffective or a medical problem has been deemed untreatable. Alternative treatments are designed to not only aid in pain relief but also reduce stress and tension that can worsen chronic pain. 

Alternative methods of treatment focus on the whole person; body and soul. Convention methods strictly focus on physical problems alone. For alternative methods to be effective, the patient must be motivated and believe in the alternative treatment’s ability to work.

Of course, any serious, life-threatening health problem should blend conventional and alternative methods for a comprehensive approach. Be sure to consult with your doctor to avoid complications.  If planned well, you can take advantage of the best of both types of medicine for a life that is comfortable and enjoyable.

Alternative Medicine History & Theory

Thousands of years ago, all medicine was “alternative medicine.” Before modern science, healers would consider the full picture – emotional, physical, and spiritual – before healing a sick person. 

This is one of the main differences between modern conventional medicine and alternative medicine. Alternative medicine does not look for the instant cure for the physical problem, rather is looks more at a long-term solution that includes the whole self. 

Just a few centuries ago in Europe, there were two types of healers; folk healers that used old tried-and-true methods, and professional physicians. The lower classes did not have the money to pay for the professional physicians, but they used the folk healers and it worked. 

In North America, philosophy and religion were often used to help folk healers provide holistic treatments.

The conventional medicine that we have today has evolved from the days of folk healers and alternative medicine. Many conventional physicians support different types of holistic treatments in the overall wellness plan for their patients. The reason that alternative medicine has stood the test of time is that it works!

Ancient Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes acupuncture, Qigong, herbal treatments, deep massage, and more. More than 25% of the world’s population practices TCM.

Several reputable groups, such as the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health, find traditional Chinese medicine to be a viable alternative to contemporary medicine.

Many parts of TCM began well over 3,000 years ago in China. The focus of TCM is Qi (pronounced “Chee”), which is the body’s energy that connects it to the world around us. It is believed that all disorders and bodily problems are caused by the misalignment of Qi. Acupuncture is one of the most widely recognized methods of bringing the Qi into alignment.

Herbal remedies are popular in traditional Chinese medicine. They are used to relax and calm the patient’s emotions to avoid depression and provide a more positive outlook on the illness. This helps tremendously in the healing process.

Ginseng and herbal green tea are the most popular herbal remedies in China.

Exercise, mainly Qigong (pronounce “Chee Kung”), is also an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong involves posture, meditation, and slow, calculated body movements.

Tibetan Medicine

Tibetan Medicine is almost solely based on herbal remedies and has been around for over 2,500 years. It is called “gSoba Rig-pa”. Tibetans mostly live in India because they have been in exile since the late 1950s.  They practice Tibetan Buddhism.

There is a Tibetan Medical Institute in Northern India, where doctors studying Tibetan medicine attend for 7 years before earning a degree.

The underlying belief in Tibetan medicine is that all illnesses are caused by poisonous thinking which includes dread, denial, and want. This concept ties to the principles of Buddhist philosophy.

The three poisonous thoughts are believed to be caused by poor diet, inappropriate behavior, and the imbalance of time and season. This concept is more complicated than this, but this simplification will give a general sense of it.

Cures are linked to all systems of the body working together. The elimination of sweat, feces, and urine contributes to this harmony.

Similar to the Chinese “Qi”, the Tibetans have the Rlung, which is the overall life force that connects us to the universe. Rlung has five types:

1. Centered in the brain. Life grasping – controls breathing, intellect, sneezing, and swallowing.
2. Centered in the chest. Upward moving – controls verbal ability and stamina.
3. Centered in the heart. All-pervading – controls all movement like that of the orifices of the body and walking.
4. Centered in the stomach. Fire accompanying – controls digestion and metabolism.
5. Centered in the rectum. Downward cleansing – controls everything that is expelled from the body, such as babies, menstrual blood, or semen.

Tibetan medicine usually handles sickness diagnosis by analysis of the tongue and urine. The spiritual element is also at play in Tibetan medicine, with much attention spent focusing on the type and temperament of spirits in the body.

American Indian Medicine (aka Native American Medicine)

North American Indian tribes have been practicing medicine for what some claim to be over 40,000 years.  The medical information and techniques are handed down from generation to generation; ensure the longevity of the practice.

Some remedies are tribe-specific, although all tribal medicine is called Native American Medicine, collectively. Native Americans believe that man is one with nature and that the elements provide strength and can cure disease.

It is fascinating to note that at the same time that Native American medicine was being practiced in North America, Traditional Chinese Medicine was being practiced a half a world away. Ayurveda (medicine practiced in India), was also practiced at this time and will be covered next.

All of these traditional medical practices are based on the same fundamental belief that a person’s lifestyle and environment should be taken into consideration before choosing a treatment path. There are subtle differences between the practices that are specific to the region.

Native American medicine recognizes a purification procedure involving herbal smoke before and after treatment. Treatments include the use of sage and cedar smoke to repel negative energy. Negative energy is considered the pain released by someone who is ill, or the pain that the healer takes on themselves from their patients. Therapeutic touch is used. Singing, chanting, drums, and rattles accompany the healing during the session.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic Medicine is practiced in India and focuses on natural healing. Practitioners believe that it is important for the body to be balanced, and all medicines are based on vegetables and minerals, with the active ingredients from plant alkaloids.

In Ayurvedic Medicine, there is the belief that there are three elements in the body, called Kapha, Pitta, and Vata, that cause disease.

1. Kapha: This energy is caused by the lack of stabilizing the balance in the body. These are commonly called viruses by Westerners.
2. Pitta: This energy supports vision, temperature, hunger, thirst, intelligence, and happiness. When out of alignment, the outcomes include weight fluctuation, dehydration, depression, digestive issues, and apathy.
3. Vata: This energy keeps the overall balance between the earth, sky, and the world around us in check with ourselves. If it falls out of balance, sickness is invited in.The disease is called Vyaadhi, and it is treated by focusing on the imbalance of elements.

Homeopathy Treatments

Homeopathy is defined as an organic system of medicine that is based on three main ideas:

1. Like cures like
2. Minimal dosing
3. One time remedies

Alternative medicine traditionally has the least amount of “active” ingredient possible, with the concept of using one single remedy regardless of how many symptoms are presenting. Homeopathy focuses on the least amount of treatments for better health.

There are several reasons why homeopathy is the second most popular form of medicine (after conventional medicine). The most popular reasons are:

• It is extremely natural and safe
• The results are permanent
• It is effective
• You can take most homeopathic medicines along with conventional medicine without side effects
• It is non-addictive

Homeopathy is a precise science, which is why it sometimes takes longer to find exactly the right medicine for your illness. Alternative medicine spends time asking questions about symptoms and the root cause of the illness in an effort to make a clear diagnosis for the problem, and treat it effectively. 

Herbal Remedies

Nature provides many cures and treatments for ailments of all kinds. Each region has its own native plants that are used in alternative medicine.

When buying herbs for medicinal purposes, it is suggested that you use herbs from an herbal shop.  Herb strength varies depending on the way in which they are grown, so until you are familiar with growing techniques for medicinal herbs, purchasing from a professional is recommended.

The following list provides herbal cures to common ailments:

• Acne and skin blemishes.

Wash your face and rub a clove of garlic that has been cut in half. Or, mix lavender with witch hazel at a 1:10 ratio. Tea tree oil can be substituted in place of the lavender.

• Anxiety and stress.

Lavender pure essential oil soaked onto a cotton cloth, heated and folded into a compress. Apply to head or neck.

• Bruises and contusions.

Boil hyssop flowers and leaves into a tincture. Filter liquid, and soak a cotton compress.  Apply to the bruised area by applying pressure. The hyssop, heat, and pressure combination will reduce the bruise.

• Minor  burns

Minor burns can be treated with comfrey or aloe juice.  Simply rub aloe juice into the burned area.  Comfrey can be crushed into a fine powder, mixed with equal parts of melted beeswax, and added to vegetable oil. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, and then strain the mixture.

• warts

Either use a cut piece of garlic, placed directly on the wart, or, for a less odorous cure, try dandelion juice applied repeatedly throughout the day.

Herbal Teas

An age-old remedy, herbal teas are used to soothe and relieve pain and stress. Many teas are actually a tincture rather than a tea. A tincture is a thicker tea that is herb-dense and is infused instead of steeped

Vitamins & Minerals

Taking a vitamin supplement is not a substitution for eating healthfully. However, it does serve as insurance to be certain that you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Vitamins are essential to the optimized functioning of your body. Without sufficient vitamins, for example, your blood will not clot. You need vitamins to fight colds and boost your immune system.

It is best to take a homeopathic test to determine the vitamins that you need. This will avoid a dangerous overdose. Then you can take the vitamins you need individually, as needed, and avoid a multi-vitamin, which is chockfull of fillers.

This method will save you money, too.

Bee Therapy (aka Apitherapy)

The practice of Apitherapy is the use of bee stings, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and honey to treat a variety of ailments.  While there has not been extensive testing in the scientific world to validate the claims of apitherapists, history proves that the treatments provide relief.

There are five honeybee products that are used in apitherapy:

1. Venom: A practitioner will aid the patient in injecting or being stung by bees in the affected area. The venom is used to provide relief for conditions such as tendonitis, Multiple Sclerosis, and degenerative bone disease. It works because the venom is a natural anti-inflammatory that is more potent than others available to conventional medicine such as hydrocortisone. You must get tested to be certain that you are not allergic to beestings prior to exposing yourself to bee venom.
2. Pollen: A natural energy supplement that is also used as a seasonal allergy aid. It is also believed to slow down the development of wrinkles.
3. Raw Honey: A source of quick energy, raw honey is used for many cures. It can even be used as a salve on top of an open wound to avoid the spread of bacteria.
4. Royal Jelly: Is the milky white substance that the worker bees produce to feed the queen. While unsubstantiated, this substance is used as a beauty aid and is believed to help lower cholesterol.
5. Propolis: Is the glue used to keep the hives together and make repairs. Propolis is made from the sap of poplar and conifer trees. It is used to make lip balm and salves and is considered to be an antioxidant. 

Iridology

Iridology is a name for the practice of determining a person’s toxicity based on the color of their iris. This concept goes back to Sweden and Hungary where physicians used it to gauge disease in their patients.

For centuries, famous physicians and scientists, all the way back to the Greek physician Hippocrates, have found the people with injuries get black marks across the iris of their eye.  These marks later disappear as the person’s ailments heal.

In today’s world, iridology is used as a preventative measure to gauge if there is a change in a person’s health. It is unfortunate that iridology cannot be used to identify a specific disease.

The way in which iridology is practiced today is that the colored part of the eye (the iris) is carefully photographed using a strong camera lens. It is painless, and it takes about an hour to complete. The photos are then enlarged, and a trained professional iridologist studies it for signs of possible illness.

Even conventional doctors use the eyes as an early warning sign of bad things going on inside of the body. This study is just a more focused analysis of the iris when looking for signs of degenerative health issues. 

Meditation in Healing

Meditation is a skill that is learned.  Once you know how to do it properly, it can be used to greatly improve your quality of life and health.

The benefits of meditation are an increased level of energy, a more positive attitude, better immune health, better sleep quality, and the slowing of the aging process.

To take advantage of the maximum benefit, meditate for at least 20 minutes per day prior to bedtime.

Follow these steps for meditating. First, sit down and get comfortable in a quiet room. Keep your back and neck straight, and clear your mind so that you are focusing on the present moment.

Then become aware of your breathing. Breathe in and out of your mouth, and pay attention to your stomach rising and falling.

If thoughts come into your head, acknowledge them, and let them pass through your mind. Remain conscious of your breathing and relax. If your thoughts carry you away, don’t get frustrated. Simply return back to focusing on your breathing.

When your time meditating is finished, become aware of your surroundings, and stand up slowly.

Meditation is a wonderful way to instantly relax and reenter your being. It is the perfect supplement to any treatment, both alternative and contemporary.

This deep relaxation technique will help remove stress and anxiety from life.

Reduced stress can only help to heal.  

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a very gentle form of exercise that anyone can do. Since most people spend most of their time sitting, it is imperative that regular exercise becomes a part of their daily routine. Tai Chi can become that daily movement.

Exercise helps by improving circulatory function, reducing headache tension, lowering blood pressure, and eliminating chronic back and neck pain.

Tai Chi is a series of movements and stretches that anyone can do from any position, even sitting. The exercise will improve posture, stamina, and flexibility.

Movements in Tai Chi are slow and deliberate, and easy to learn. Attending a class is the best way to learn Tai Chi. Do not worry about not being in shape; Tai Chi is known to be an exercise that is done by all types of people, of all ages.

Yoga

Yoga is a great exercise activity for all types of people. It is not difficult, but you do have to want to learn about it. The main goal of yoga is to create a balanced relationship between your physical and mental health.

Yoga is a way of life that is carried throughout the day, not just while in yoga class. Yoga creates an awareness of yourself and your day to day life. This is a drastic change to many people who often live on autopilot.

You can decide how you want to use yoga, for its basic purpose of bringing together mind and body, or as more of strenuous activity for exercise purposes.

In yoga, it is best to start out at the lowest level possible and work your way up as you develop strength and understanding. Just like most other things, it is important to know the foundational concepts before branching out into more difficult territory, 

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Neuro-Linguistic Programming can be considered the power of positive thought and prayer. It is well documented throughout science and medicine that having a positive attitude, outlook, and having a positive support system surround you is one of the most effective alternative medicines available.

NLP is a method of programming your thoughts in order to be positive. This technique focuses on your subconscious and your dreams.  It is imperative to truly believe that you can heal yourself for NLP to work.

How do you practice NLP? First, take a strategy that you know creates success in other areas of your life, and apply it to your healing process. You absolutely must have faith in your body’s healing ability for this to work.

Muscular and Skeletal Alternative Medicine

There are numerous other alternative treatments for the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. They include:

1. Kinesiology

Professionals test the various muscles throughout the body to determine areas that are not balanced properly and then restore balance by using a variety of techniques.

2. Rolfing

Rolfing is the use of pressure to massage the connective tissue within the body.  This allows for the body to be more flexible and be aligned properly.

Rolfing will provide more energy and less anxiety.

3. Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is used to break up the knotted muscles, and to retrain the muscles. It works the ligaments, tendons, and soft-tissue muscles. Massage therapy increases circulation and improves breathing.

4. Color therapy

Color therapy uses color and light to treat ailments. Often considered a complementary treatment, color therapy is used in addition to other treatments.

There are seven colors that correspond to the wavelength centers of the body. Each color is matched with a region of the body.

5. Magnetic energy

The use of magnetic energy fields to, as magnetic therapists believe, to manipulate cells with magnetic energy. They also believe they can recharge cells. Magnetic energy can also increase blood flow that will then reduce scars on organs, provide migraine relief, and other reoccurring pain.

6. Craniosacral therapy (CST)

The craniosacral system is the membranes and fluid that envelopes the brain and spinal cord. By applying gentle pressure to the head, the rhythm of the craniosacral system can be evaluated and in some ways manipulated. This improves the flow and function of the central nervous system. This treatment is used in alternative medicine as a preventative measure. Professional craniosacral therapy practitioners believe they can locate and release energy cysts by unblocking them and realigning the neck.

Acupuncture

In acupuncture, thin needles are inserted into the skin to draw nerve stimulation at pinpointed locations around the body. Acupuncture is a Chinese medical procedure that involves Dao – the advocate for living in balance and moderation, with yin and yang – two life elements that are apposing forces that when balanced bring good health and happiness. Acupuncture brings relief of pain, aids respiratory illnesses, and relieves headaches and ulcers, among other physical issues. It also balances the qi life force.

Reiki

Reiki is the practice of transferring healing energy from the healer’s hands to the ill person. This can be done hands-on and from a distance. The healer is believed to be full of universal energy.  It is thought that the practitioner can use Reiki energy to alter the frequency of the aura.  Healing is achieved first physically, then emotionally, and finally spiritually.  

Crystals: A Tool for Healing

Crystals have long been associated with alternative healing. A crystal is created when crystalline is formed by minerals being arranged in a precise pattern. Quartz is the most popular crystal. The belief behind the use of crystals is that blocked energy will be released when the crystal is placed at specific points around the body.

Conclusion

Alternative medicine has experienced an increase in popularity in recent years. Of course, there is controversy surrounding the two big types of medicine; conventional and traditional.

With all of the wonderful benefits of alternative medicine, there are some risks associated with it. The following risks should be considered before using alternative medicine:

1. Unsafe, ineffective, untested substances
2. Listening to exaggerated claims of safety by some unscrupulous businesses
3. Forgoing conventional treatments for serious illnesses to use alternative treatment.
4. Not disclosing the simultaneous use of both conventional and alternative treatments, possibly creating a negative health situation

 It is important to recognize possible risks in alternative medicine. As with anything, if a therapy, product, or substance sounds like it is too good to be true – then it probably is! 

Always research the therapy or substance, as well as any practitioners that you are thinking about using. Check credentials and references, if possible. Because much of the alternative medicine world is unregulated, there are frauds out there that you will need to be wary of.

If you are careful about what you put in your body, and the types of external therapy you solicit, you can make educated choices that will benefit your health greatly. 

The best approach is a strategically planned approach that you create and discuss with your doctor.  If you are not comfortable talking with your conventional medical doctor about supplementing with alternative medicine treatments, then find one that is open-minded about this type of treatment. You will be happy you did.

Only once you have researched all the different alternative treatments from around the world will you have a full understanding of what options are actually out there. The internet is an excellent place to begin your research journey.

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