Category Archives: Alternatives

Moxibustion.

                                                  

Introduction:

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.

Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemisia argyi or A.vulgaris), but it can be made of other substances as well.

What exactly does the practitioner do?

In this method, the moxa material is compressed into a stick or pole, looking not unlike an oversized cigar that can be lit and allowed to smolder, producing a unique form of very penetrating heat.

The smoldering moxa stick is held over specific areas, often, though not always, corresponding to certain acupuncture points. The glowing end of the moxa stick is held about an inch or two above the surface of the skin until the area reddens and becomes suffused with warmth.

Moxibustion is used for:

  • Pain due to injury or arthritis  especially in “cold” patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat
  • Digestive problems and irregular elimination
  • Gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late term pregnancy
  • Protection against cold and flu strains
  • Back pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Tendonitis
  • Ulcers
  • Fatigue
  • Infertility
  • Cancers

Practitioners often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same clinic session when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. Practitioners believe that the therapies increase each other’s effectiveness when used together.

Potential Complications of Moxibustion:

It poses a few risks, one being the risk of getting burned in the process. For this reason, it’s best to stick with the indirect moxibustion approach, especially when doing it alone. Other possible side effects include:

  • Toxic reactions to mugwort
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Coughing from the smoke
  • Dark skin patches
  • Fetal distress if you’re pregnant
  • Premature birth
  • Basal cell carcinoma or a type of skin cancer

Conclusion:

On the mechanism of moxibustion effects, there have been many viewpoints, such as thermal stimulation effect, non-specific autologous protein therapeutics, non-specific stress responses, and aromatherapy. The generally accepted view is that the meridian system combines with moxibustion physical and chemical effects to produce comprehensive effects. When physical and chemical factors act on the acupoint receptors, the signal enters the central nervous system through the peripheral pathways and outgos after being integrated, adjusting the nerve-endocrine-immune network and circulatory system, so as to regulate the internal environment of the body, in order to achieve the effects of preventing and curing diseases          

Coding therapy for alcohol abuse.

Introduction:

Coding for alcohol addiction involves the implantation of Disulfiram-based drugs (Esperal Disulfiram, Tet Long, Antabuse, etc.) into the body, which provide a chemical blockade of the enzyme – alcohol dehydrogenase – and block ethanol-oxidative activity, inhibit the splitting of highly toxic ethanol containing substances, their metabolites and decomposition products in the body. This is the only adequate and justified method that ensures a stable continuous protection of the body to alcohol, enhances the therapeutic effect of the primary treatment.

How do these medications work?

The drugs used for coding are Disulfiram or Esperal; provide a constant therapeutic concentration of the blocker in the body, inhibiting the process of alcohol biochemical breakdown. Once alcohol or alcohol-containing food products enter the blood, it triggers an instant response from disulfirame, i.e. symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication (poisoning), which is manifested by: 

  • severe dizziness and general weakness, chills, double vision;
  • skin reactions – itching, urticaria, hyperhidrosis;
  • nausea, retching, often severe vomiting;
  • cardiac reactions – abrupt interruptions in cardiac functions;
  • shortness of breath, asthma attacks, up to a complete lack of breath;
  • Impairment or loss of consciousness – often collapse, stupor, coma.

 These symptoms are extremely unpleasant, dangerous for humans, and can lead to irreversible consequences!

Contraindications:

Coding for alcohol addiction is possible only in the absence of the following contraindications: 

  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding (lactation);
  • Pathological diseases (oncology, etc.);
  • Acute cardiovascular disorders (heart attack);
  • Acute cerebral circulation disorders (stroke, hemorrhage);
  • Acute hepatic and/or renal failure, active cirrhosis;
  • Skin infections at the proposed site of the implantation;
  • Mental illness and disorders (schizophrenia, dementia);
  • Individual intolerance to drugs (based on Disulfiram and/or Naltrexone), after additional testing.

Possible negative consequences:

Coding can cause negative consequences only in the case of consuming alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products.

 An alcohol blocker makes the patient immediately experience its effect and feel a severe discomfort with the corresponding consequences: 

  • severe headache;
  • convulsions, seizures;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • allergic reactions;
  • panic attacks;
  • cardiovascular and respiratory disorders;
  • Loss of consciousness, collapse.

Other methods that have been used for aversion therapy include:

  • Electrical shock.
  • Another type of physical shock, like from a rubber band snapping.
  • An unpleasant smell or taste.
  • negative imagery (sometimes through visualization)
  • Shame.

Conclusion:

Coding therapy along with aversion therapies can significantly help in reducing intractable alcohol addiction and give lasting health benefits to people with alcohol addiction.

Naprapathy.

Freepik image

Introduction:

Naprapathy is a holistic medicine practice focused on caring for the connective tissue—our hardworking muscles, tendons, fascia, intervertebral discs, cartilage, and ligaments.

Conditions Naprapathy Can Address:

Some common musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders successfully treated through Naprapathic Medicine include:

  • Back Pain
  • Tension Headaches
  • Neck Pain
  • Migraine Headaches
  • Hip Pain
  • Disc Herniation
  • Leg Pain
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Sciatica
  • Golfer’s Elbow
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Neuropathy
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Strains
  • Sprains
  • Knee pain
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Bursitis

WHY MANIPULATION?

The Common denominator in any disease is stress. Under stressful conditions, connective tissues such as muscles, ligaments and tendons contract. As these tissues shrink, normal function within the area decreases. Blood circulation and nerve pathways become constricted or irritated. Clinical studies have suggested that with manipulation and stretching be qualified practioners, these constricted or irritated pathways will have the opportunity to return to the normal state needed by healthy bodies.

Similarities and differences between naprapathy and chiropractic therapy:

The treatment is similar to chiropractic therapy, but the difference is that chiropractors work more on manipulating the joints. A chiropractor is also more focused on the spine. Naprapaths work in a wider area and they treat muscles and joints from a more general perspective. But one form of therapy does not exclude the other. Depending on the location of the pain and the type of problems that arise, both types of treatment can help. One of the areas of naprapathy that resembles chiropractic therapy strongly is joint manipulation. If a joint is painful, usually in the back, both professionals can correct it. They do this using rapid pressure with the hands on the affected area. This often creates a joint snap – a sound associated with chiropractic treatment.

Conclusion:

When judiciously combined with other manipulative therapies, Naprapathy offers an exciting and effective modality for connective tissue disorders.

Recreational therapy.

Introduction:

Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to help people with specific health conditions improve their skills, abilities, overall health, and emotional well-being.  Recreational therapists work with you and your healthcare team to set health goals and develop a plan to meet your needs.

 Recreational therapy can take place in a variety of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • schools
  • inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities and programs
  • skilled nursing facilities
  • assisted living facilities
  • sports programs
  • substance use programs
  • correctional facilities
  • community centers

Some of the activities that may be part of a recreational therapy program include:

  • art
  • music
  • sports games
  • video games
  • board games
  • animal interactions
  • dance and movement
  • gardening
  • storytelling
  • creative writing
  • drama
  • cooking classes
  • community and cultural outings

Recreational therapy benefits people of all ages. It’s often used to help people who are:

  • recovering from a stroke
  • rehabilitating from an injury, illness, or surgery
  • working to improve motor skills
  • learning to carry out the activities of daily living independently
  • being treated for cancer
  • experiencing anxiety or worry in a hospital setting
  • feeling isolated or depressed
  • developing the ability to express their thoughts and emotions
  • Recovering from a substance use disorder.
Uses of Recreational therapy:

Recreational therapy has wide-ranging positive impacts on your physical and mental health. This is especially the case when the therapy is designed around your individual interests and needs.

Improves symptoms of depression

Many therapeutic recreation programs get people up and moving and stimulating their minds with engaging, creative tasks.

Increases self-esteem

Research shows that recreational therapy may help improve a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem.

Strengthens social connections

Illness, injury, and disability can limit your ability to interact with people. Recreational therapy provides opportunities to engage with other people in positive ways, which can counteract feelings of isolation.

Improves functional independence after an injury

In many cases, a serious injury can affect your ability to do routine tasks. Taking care of your home, exercising, playing with your children or grandchildren — these activities may be difficult or impossible after an injury.  Recreational therapy can make a difference in the level of functional independence after a serious injury.

Increases strength and physical fitness

Recreational therapy often includes exercise, games, dance, yoga, tai chi, and other kinds of movement may help improve your balance, physical strength, and flexibility.

Boosts cognitive abilities

It’s important to bear in mind that recreational therapy can’t fully restore areas of the brain that have been permanently damaged.

Relieves anxiety for children who are hospitalized

Therapeutic play gives children opportunities to build positive relationships with hospital staff, to talk about their feelings, and to develop a sense of control and confidence at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable.

Conclusion:

Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to promote recovery from illness, injury, or disability. Activities might include art, dance, music, exercise, creative writing, and games of all types.

Working with a trained recreational therapist can improve your mood, reasoning abilities, memory, physical fitness, and self-confidence. Researchers believe the combination of physical movement, creativity, social interaction, and mental engagement helps to deliver this wide range of health benefits.

Graphotherapy.

Graphotherapy

Introduction:

A handwriting analyst is able to disclose a lot about your personality from the way your letters are formed, the direction of the lines and the way you use the space on the page.  With these details, it is possible for an analyst to design a therapy for the individual to help him to change those aspects of his personality that are holding them back from achieving his life’s ambitions.  The curative offshoot of handwriting analysis, called Graphotherapy, is all about reprogramming the subconscious mind and changing the personality through changing the handwriting strokes style by repeated practice.

Uses:

1. Graphotherapy for temper

If you want to control your temper, just make sure you are never careless while writing t-bars. Also, i-dots should be correctly placed.

2. Graphotherapy for confidence

To gain more confidence and to boost self-esteem, you can use Graphotherapy. With increased confidence you will be able to rewrite your success story.

3. Graphotherapy to deal with shyness

If you feel shy and cannot face a large crowd, Graphotherapy can come handy. With some changes in handwriting, you should be able to deal with your shyness and become frank.

4. Graphotherapy for children

With Graphotherapy, children can improve their communication skills and enhance their personal goals. Also, they can enhance their ability to concentrate.

Changes Possible With Graphotherapy

Your handwriting can change your life. By reprogramming your brain, Graphotherapy can help you:

  • Become more determined
  • Achieve higher concentration level
  • Increase your confidence level
  • Overcome procrastination
  • Overcome depression
  • Control your temper
  • Overcome frustration in sexual and material life
  • Get rid of low self-esteem
  • Get over past failures

Conclusion:

Graphology (Handwriting Analysis) makes you aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and state of mind at the time of writing. But, it is not enough to become aware of your personality traits alone.  You must work your way to reduce the effect of the negative traits present in your handwriting. And, this is done by Graphotherapy.

Functional Medicine.

Stockfree images

Introduction:

Functional medicine doctors use specialized training and techniques to find the root causes of complex illnesses. They may investigate multiple factors causing a condition, or they may look into multiple conditions causing one symptom.

A doctor in functional medicine works holistically, considering the full picture of your physical, mental, emotional, and sometimes even spiritual health.

They consider factors like diet, genetics, hormonal changes, prescription and over the counter medications, and other lifestyle components. This type of doctor may be ideal for people with chronic ailments that aren’t easily managed by conventional medical techniques.

What Does a Functional Medicine Doctor Do?

Functional medicine doctors look at your full history to identify the root causes of an illness. They usually spend more time with you than conventional doctors. They collect detailed information about the disease and your overall lifestyle.

A functional medicine doctor may ask about:

  • A timeline of symptoms
  • Sleep patterns
  • Exercise habits
  • Nutrition
  • Stressors
  • Personal relationships
  • Emotional wellbeing
What Conditions Does a Functional Medicine Doctor Treat?

Most functional medicine doctors solve complex and multifaceted health issues. Examples include depression, chronic pain conditions like arthritis, and inflammatory diseases. The unique processes used by these doctors may help people manage the daily symptoms of chronic disease.

Conditions that can be treated with Functional Medicine:
  • Adrenal diseases
  • Dementias.
  • Arthritis.
  • Asthma.
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Cancer prevention.
  • Cardiovascular diseases.
  • Diabetes.
  • Digestive disorders.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Environmental and food allergies.
  • Women’s health disorders
  • Thyroid disorders.

Education & Training

Functional medicine doctors have gone through traditional medical school training. They may then choose to get additional certification from an organization such as The Institute for Functional Medicine. Doctors then apply functional medicine teachings to their original field of practice.

Conclusion:

The functional medicine model of care offers a patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. It seeks to answer the question, “Why are you ill?” so you can receive personalized, effective care for your needs.  The foundation of functional medicine is the use of food as a first-line therapy. The right nutrition, combined with lifestyle and behavioral interventions, will help you take charge of your health.

Therapeutic touch therapy.

Introduction:

In Therapeutic Touch, therapists lay their hands on or near their patient’s body with the intention to help the healing process. In doing so, therapists believe that they are intentionally directing or modulating an individual’s energies by interacting with his or her energy field. The focus is on balancing the energies of the total person and stimulating the body’s own natural healing ability rather than on the treatment of specific physical diseases.

The Basis of Therapeutic touch:

  The human being is an open energy system composed of layers of energy that are in constant interaction with self, others, and the environment.

  Illness is an imbalance in an individual’s energy field.

  Clearing or balancing the energy field promotes health.

  All humans have natural abilities to heal and enhance the healing in others.

A typical session is:

A session lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes. You will sit in a comfortable chair and lie down fully clothed. The Therapeutic Touch practitioner will begin by discussing your goals for healing. He or she will then use light touch and/or sweeping hand motions above the skin surface to assess and balance the energy in and around the body.

The Therapeutic touch practitioners do the following:

  1. Center themselves in the present moment and bring themselves to a calm, quiet state of consciousness.
  2. Review the client’s energy field. 
  3. Clear and mobilize the client’s energy field, direct energy to achieve wholeness, and balance the field.
  4. Evaluate and close the treatment. 
  5. Ask for feedback and answer client questions.

Conclusion:

The aim of Therapeutic Touch is to assist the recipient in tapping into their own healing process and to restore completeness and wellbeing at the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of the person.

Therapeutic Touch does not attempt to cure disease, but rather to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. According to Therapeutic Touch texts, the major effects of Therapeutic Touch are a deep relaxation response, reduction of pain and anxiety, and faster wound healing.

Practitioners believe that this therapy promotes health and wellbeing and eases the dying process.  Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation have found it helpful in reducing side effects of treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, or fatigue. Others have seen reduced feelings of anxiety or grief.

Therapeutic Touch can benefit people of all ages and all states of health or illness, as well as plants and animals.

This therapy is generally very safe, but precautions need to be taken with pregnant women (since there is more than one energy field), and people with some forms of mental illness. Experienced practitioners will take these factors into account.

Rolfing therapy.

Introduction:

Rolfing is a physical therapy that helps to improve your posture and treats chronic muscular-skeletal pain conditions, such as lower back pain, sciatica and stiff and painful shoulders. Rolfing was founded by Dr Ida Rolf, a research biochemist from the Bronx who lived 1896-1979.

Rolfing is a systematic and holistic method of manipulating the muscle and fascia to help the body return to structural balance in movement and gravity.

What Are the Benefits of Rolfing?

The benefits of Rolfing include improved posture and structure. This is achieved through body manipulation and realignment by using specialized techniques. Practitioners believe that body is at its most efficient and optimal functional level when it is completely balanced.

By resolving discomfort, alleviating pain, and releasing tension in the body, Rolfing® enables the body to conserve energy, improve and optimize movement patterns, reduce inflammation and chronic stress, as well as provide improved athletic performance. 

Incorrect posture can lead to several severe complications and conditions that negatively affect your life. Rolfing® has a proven track record of reducing spinal curvature and improving neurological function.  

Rolfing is perfectly safe and non-invasive to the patient, making the experience rather pleasant and relatively pain-free.

Side effects of Rolfing:

Rolfing negative side effects, if any, are temporary. Most common side effect if the client is new to bodywork is the release of long held body toxins, which may lead to having cold symptoms days later. Additionally, some may have reaction such as headaches, soreness, swelling, and or nausea.

Difference in Rolfing and massage:

Rolfing and massage differ most significantly in one key way: massage is great for short-term relaxation or relief of pain, while Rolfing changes the structure of the body to provide long-lasting ease and relief.

Conclusion:

The principles of Rolfing contradict established medical knowledge, and there is no good evidence Rolfing is effective for the treatment of any health condition. It is recognized as a pseudoscience and has been characterized as quackery.

Attachment therapy.

Introduction:

Attachment therapy is based on attachment theory and explores how one’s childhood experiences might impact their ability to form meaningful bonds as adults.

In attachment-based therapy, therapists work with people who need help rebuilding trust in relationships, especially because people with dys-regulation of attachment tend to fall into difficult interpersonal relationships.

Techniques:

Often, the mantra “winning back power” is used in attachment therapy, and you’ll often explore events from your childhood and determine how these experiences might impact your life today. 

At the beginning, expect to deeply reflect on your relationship with your primary caregiver, that often means your parents, grandparents, or foster/adoptive parents. Be prepared to analyze how those early dynamics continue manifesting today.

What Attachment Therapy Can Help With:

Attachment therapy can help if you have symptoms of an attachment disorder

  • Find it difficult to be emotionally stable
  • Often  inability to form deep relationships due to fear
  • Worry about abandonment
  • Worry your partner doesn’t love you despite their words/actions
  • Find yourself  afraid to be alone
  • Feel distraught in relationships, especially as they become more intimate
  • Have poor self-esteem
Benefits of Attachment Therapy :

Attachment therapy can help you address some of the subconscious, persistent issues from your childhood that still impact your ability to form meaningful relationships as an adult.

Conclusion:

In summary, attachment theory can be used to understand the development of coping patterns or relationship patterns and the underlying dynamics of a person’s emotional difficulties. Clinicians not only can help those with high attachment anxiety and avoidance to modify their ineffective coping strategy, but also can help them understand the underlying unmet needs. Moreover, clinicians need to know that people with different insecure attachment patterns i.e., anxiety and avoidance patterns may use different coping strategies to manage their life difficulties. This therapy helps patients to break old patterns of behavior and lead a fulfilling and balanced life.

Full body detox.

Introduction:

A full body detox is a practice that some people believe can eliminate toxins from the body. It may involve following a particular diet, fasting, taking supplements, or using a sauna.

What does a full body detox involve?

There is no single definition of what a full body detox involves, but it may require a person to:

  • follow a specific diet
  • fast
  • drink more water or juices
  • use supplements
  • use colonic irrigation, enemas, or laxatives
  • use a sauna
  • reduce exposure to toxins in their environment

Potential benefits:

While detoxes are not medically necessary for most people, under certain circumstances, they may offer some health benefits, such as:

  • Weight loss: detoxification diets can result in weight loss.
  • Fruits and vegetables: Many detox diets may involve consuming fruits and vegetables
  • Hydration: Many full body detoxes also promote water consumption. Antioxidants: According to some studies have found that certain detox diets can aid liver function and that certain foods can increase the antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione can help remove toxins, such as heavy metals, from the body.

Potential risks:

Some detoxes pose health risks by encouraging people to:

  • restrict food intake, leading to a lack of necessary nutrients
  • drink large quantities of juices or teas, which may lead to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance
  • drink juices that contain large amounts of oxalates, which may raise the risk for kidney problems
  • use detox products that contain laxatives, which may result in  severe diarrhea and  dehydration
  • try diet plans that exacerbate underlying conditions, such as diabetes

Some ideas to support the body’s detoxification system:

·         Stop smoking or drinking
·         Stay hydrated
·         Begin eating a nutrient-dense diet
·         Get enough sleep
·         Improve indoor air quality

Conclusion:

A full body detox aims to help the body eliminate toxins. However, there is not much evidence that they provide any long-term health benefits or that they are a sustainable way to lose weight.

Before a person attempts a full body detox or makes significant lifestyle changes, it is advisable for them to consult a healthcare professional.

People can adopt a more balanced approach by using a detox as an opportunity to begin healthful habits, such as drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and stopping drinking or smoking. However, people should speak with a doctor before making any major changes.