Lead a healthier lifestyle with alternative medicine!

The modern conventional medicine has its own way of working. People go for a yearly checkup, take all the expensive medicines prescribed by their doctor in their sickness, and with God's grace they get well after spending a fortune and being in bed for a calculated number of days. However, recent years have seen an effective rise in another kind of treatment known by the name of alternative medicine.
The alternative treatment is infact quite incompatible with the western conventional therapy. They are rather used in the description of the healing treatments that do not form a part of the conventional medicine. The alternative medicine includes therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, ayurvedic therapy that comprises dietary changes, yoga practices and massage therapy. Just because these kinds of treatments were considered outside the mainstream medicinal field by the experts, they were placed under the tag 'alternative'. 

Some health care providers also recommend another kind of health practice by the name of complementary therapy. The complementary medicine involves nontraditional medicinal practices. Though both alternative and complementary therapies use similar kind of remedies for treatment of particular health conditions, there is a basic difference between the two. While complementary medicines are used along with conventional therapy, alternative therapy is a replacement of the conventional one. 

Alternative and complementary medicines work on the belief of treating the person as a whole – the body, mind and spirit. These kind of treatments use less invasive techniques as in they do not rely on conventional medications or surgery. People who have been suffering from a persistent problem that has not been cured completely by conventional method often turn to these complementary and alternative techniques. Sometimes people also use these techniques just to maintain their proper well being. For example yoga, is the most commonly used non-conventional technique that can improve the overall health of a person and can help to prevent illness. 
The alternative and complimentary medicines are generally grouped in four areas. The first one is the biological based practice where the normal diet of the person is supplemented with additional nutrients, extracts and herbs. The intake of vitamins and herbal supplements fall under this category. The second group is the body-based or manipulative therapy which includes massages or treatment with a chiropractor. The yoga practices fall under the third category called mind-body interventions and the final group is the energy therapy that involves therapy like Reiki. 

Apart from these, the complementary and alternative therapies include certain whole medical systems like homoeopathy, naturopathy, traditional chinese therapies and Ayurveda. Most of the times, the alternative techniques include a combination of some or more of these medical systems. These practices are usually preceded by scientific research and are hence quite reliable and effective.

At the holistic community, there are health forum for people where they can get all the information on various kinds of alternative approaches to different kinds of ailments. There are options of selecting a therapist and even gathering all therapy information before going for the final treatment. The community has a lot of health professionals who can guide people to the right kind of treatment.

Reiki - an Alternative Therapy

For gradual but steady healing and balancing of energies in the body, Reiki is the effective treatment. Reiki healing started many centuries ago in Tibet, its usage was later intensified  by a Japanese Buddhist. The focus in this treatment is a holistic  system that is meant to reach the innermost part of man and complete the cure on whatever the ailment is. The practice is purely natural, it seeks to tap into the Universal energy of the Creator, no drugs are used.
Only properly trained individuals can administer the treatment. The healers are categorized into first degree, second degree, and master degree practitioners.  First degree healer can heal only his or her self, second degree healer can heal self and others, while the master degree healer can heal self, others, and can impart the healing instructions to others. Basic requirements for all healers include: humility, purity of mind and body, and willingness to assist mankind. Even those who practice Reiki in their private hospitals are also morally bounded to observe these tenets. The healing proper proceeds as follows: the patient is made to lie down on the back and relax fully, preferably on a massage table, wearing only loosely fitting clothes. The practitioner, having purified self in body and mind then quietly meditates a few moments, then clasps gently the palms of both hands together before laying them gently on the patient, specifically on the ailing spot if known, but for remote or hidden locations, the healer simply raises both hands above patient, and for some minutes mentally directs the divine healing power upon the patient. The patient is then allowed to rest  or even sleep for at least fifteen minutes during which energy is restored..
In addition to laying of hands the Reiki healer also focuses  on the seven energy centers in the body. These centers are known as chakras. The chakras are located at the following organs: crown - roof of the head, the third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, and the foot. Reiki is now a popular healing system in the  Western countries such as the United States, Canada, and Britain though it started as a therapy from the orient. The oriental therapy is more inclined to use of prayer, deep breathing and meditation. Reiki  is now a global therapy, as an alternative to orthodox medicine. Many new practitioners  supplement the practice of Reiki with prayer, meditation and other subtle ways of approaching God. Among the outstanding results of this therapy we have: improvement of the immune system, cure for insomnia, reduction of high blood pressure, relief from tensions  and stress, enhancement of self-healing,  promoting spiritual growth,  overall toning of the body, and emotional healing. After any Reiki healing session the patient feels completely relaxed and regenerated in body and mind. The essentials of healing with the Reiki depend on the practitioner's ability to contact the divine and channel the healing energy down to the patient, it is a viable alternative to drug usage.

Alternative Therapy: Health Benefits of Color Therapy

Colors play a very important role in treating certain diseases. All colors  vibrate at a specific frequency. It is said that organs and glands of our bodies also vibrate at specific frequencies and that colors correspond to the areas of our body which have the same frequency. When we are sick, our organs and glands may become out of balance and not function at their proper frequencies. Restoring the proper frequency is thought to restore health.
Following is information on how each color is used in color therapy, however more research is needed. Please consult a doctor before practising Color Therapy.
Benefits of Red Color
RED has the longest length in the visible spectrum and the lowest rate of vibration. Possible benefits:
  • Chronic pain – May lower the frequency of wave lengths causing them to be less excited and thereby reduce pain
  • Migraines
  • Stimulate the automatic nervous and circulatory systems
  • Stimulate the liver
  • Act as a pustulant, drawing poisons to a head to be eliminated
  • Reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Increase heart strength and stimulate circulation
  • Support the building of the blood
  • Increase blood flow to the brain
Benefits of Orange
Possible benefits
  • Stimulate the lungs and thyroid gland to increase oxygen to the body
  • Depress the parathyroid gland
  • For lactating mothers, stimulate the mammary glands resulting in increased milk production for women who breastfeed their babies
  • Reduce menstrual cramps
  • Relieve cramping, cramps and convulsions in all parts of the body
  • Relieve hiccups (hiccoughs)
  • Relieve digestive gas, flatulence
  • Treat skin conditions such as boils, carbuncles and abscesses
  • Build lungs and stimulate the respiratory system. Used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, Tuberculosis
  • Benefits of Green Color
    Green is the master color, associated with the pituitary which is the master gland.
    • Useful for overall wellbeing, for chronic or acute issues
    • Infection
    • Use green along with turquoise for the treatment of burns
    • Healing of sores, bruises and cuts
    • Promote the release of mucus/phlegm
    • Stimulate the brain
    • Stimulate the digestive
    • system
    • Dissolving blood clots
    • Tremors, twitching, shaking
    Benefits of Yellow Color
    YELLOW is associated with the stomach, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Possible benefits:
    • Can help with night blindness because it filters out blue light.
    • Depress the spleen and the parathyroid gland and stimulate the lymphatic glands.
    • Increases appetite. Better assimilation of food for better nutrition.
    • Healing for all kinds of paralysis from stroke to sluggish organs. Stimulates and builds nerves.
    • Strengthened heart resulting in better circulation.
    • Strengthened the nervous system.
    • Destruction of body worms
    • Improved rheumatoid arthritis, neuritis and similar conditions because yellow may help eliminate calcium and lime deposits.
    These were the benefits of few basic colors and its effect on our body. Please consult a color therapists and your doctor before going in for any color therapy.

Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture Versus Aromatherapy

Whenever you are confronted with the choice of age-old therapies, it is best to always check out its true benefits.  The best way lies in experiencing them personally, rather than simply hearing about the advantages of acupuncture and aromatherapy.  It is always better to personally encounter their effects – whether good or bad, rather than pondering whether they might work or not.  Though acupuncture and aromatherapy have totally different concepts, both these therapies date back to ancient times – the acupuncture therapy is traced to ancient Chinese culture, and aromatherapy is traced to ancient civilizations of the world.
How do these therapies differ?
Often, many people mistake aromatherapy for acupuncture therapy, and vice versa.  This may be due to their age-old evolution.  But their names are self-explanatory.
In acupuncture therapy, long, thin needles are inserted into the skin at various points along the body, called the acupoints, or pressure points.  The Chinese believe that when acupuncture is performed on these acupoints, it is capable of treating or preventing any sort of disease or illness.  There are testimonials from many people across the world who have practically experienced the benefits of acupuncture therapy.
In aromatherapy, special oils are prepared, which are either inhaled or applied to the skin.  These oils will penetrate deep into the skin and help in the treatment of ailing problems in the body.
Which therapy has more benefits?
It has been believed from the days of ancient civilizations, that both these therapies are beneficial to health.  While Chinese strongly believed in acupuncture, aromatherapy has its own believers from other parts of the world.  But it is fact that both these therapies have worked, and thousands of people have been cured by these therapies.  The only thing is, the exact reason behind their working could not be researched and found out.
Thus, both acupuncture therapy and aromatherapy have their own benefits and rights.  Both these therapies have been tried out by thousands of people across the world and have testimonials to their credit.  But choosing the right therapy depends on your personal preference, and there is no harm, if not good, on trying out these age-old techniques.

Tens Units - An Alternative Therapy For Pain Relief

Pain management is a growing and changing industry. A safe, effective, non-addictive treatment seems like the unreachable Holy Grail, but many patients feel they have found it through the use of TENS units. Treatments which were once thought to be quack medicine is now proving to be as effective and safer than many of the current drug therapies. There is an increasing need for managing pain as the baby boomer generation begins to age and chronic, age related aches and pains begin to arise. Rather than turning to costly and potentially dangerous pain medications, many patients are looking for other ways to alleviate their pains, such as can be found in the use of TENS and portable TENS units.
T.E.N.S. units stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous literally means across the skin. These units work to alleviate pain by sending a mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath. The specific nerves targeted will determine the area of pain relief. When using these, the patient should be sure to use a cream that is designed especially to help conduct electricity from the unit through his skin. This will increase the effectiveness of the treatment. While the treatment must be repeated every few hours for continual pain management, there are portable devices to make this more convenient for the patient. Portable TENS units should be lightweight and easy to carry. In many cases they can be worn next to the skin. If this is the case, the units need to either be battery operated or rechargeable.

Pain easement in almost any part of the body can come from using a TENS unit. There are certain body parts where a physician should supervise the use of the unit in order to prevent injury. In cases of pain in the neck and head, the patient should first consult with his physician. The doctor might even have a unit for the patient to use in his office. In any case, patients should never use a TENS or portable TENS unit on their face, head, or neck without discussing it with a physician. All of the nerves in your body converge on the brain in your head. Many nerves that control the heart and other vital body operations run through the head, and without a doctor's supervision, the patient might stimulate the wrong nerve, which could lead to injury. Additionally, patients who are equipped with pace makers should not use electrical nerve stimulation since the charge could interfere with the pace maker's operation. Those who are pregnant, nursing, have diabetes, metallic body part replacements or plates, have heart conditions or high blood pressure should talk to their physician before using electrical stimulation of the nerves.

TENS units are not a permanent solution for chronic pain and may result in gradually decreasing benefits when used over a prolonged period of time. TENS units may also mask the pain while having minimum impact of the treatment of the injury. TENS units are not recommended as a substitute for regimented physical rehabilitation therapy programs, but may be used in parallel with physical therapy. Most stationary TENS or portable TENS units require a doctor's prescription. Since settings and options vary from unit to unit, always consult with a doctor or a chiropractor about the proper use of your TENS unit.

Alternative Therapies for Joint Pain

People who are suffering with joint pain because of arthritis are not left unaided by both medicine and alternative medicine. There are already quite a number of pain relief treatments to effectively combat the symptoms of the disease. Although the cure is still yet to be discovered, doctors, physical therapists and even dieticians are continuously finding ways to aid in arthritis management.Arthritis symptoms, if not properly managed, can cause serious physical problems such as deformity of body parts. It can also create emotional problems once a patient feels ineffective because of immobility. Then if it worsens, it may increase risks of further health problems such as heart failure or obesity; and more so can cause stress and anxiety.
To alleviate these burdens caused by arthritis is to find positive outlets that can be included in a patient's lifestyle. These outlets can be in a form of therapy. Aside from the usual physical therapy for arthritis patients, there are other forms of therapy that can significantly be used as an arthritis treatment. Here are some:

Music Therapy

Music therapy is already a well-accepted health treatment similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. Listening to soothing music has shown positive results to those patients suffering with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and disc problems. Music facilitates pain relief, lessens anxiety, reduces stress, and brings good mood and relaxation.

Water Therapy

Water or Hydrotherapy is an excellent way of cure for arthritis symptoms. This is usually done with warm water exercises that can build up strength, relieve joint pain, ease stiffness and relax sore muscles. Water buoyancy significantly lessens the pressure on joints. There are pools and equipments specially designed for therapy to make pool access easier.
Laughter Therapy

Laughter is the best medicine, they say. Yes, it is true. Humor offers a concise break from the troubles of joint pain and arthritis stress. Laugh it out to provide tension relief and pain reduction. Laughter has shown positive effects for healing as it strengthens the immune system and it also increases one's threshold of pain.

Magnet Therapy

Magnets are used as a form of therapy since the middle ages. Static magnets are placed to a particular area of the body and are believed to realign the body's electromagnetic field, thus increasing proper blood circulation. Arthritis patients who have tried this have experienced a notable pain relief.

Pet Therapy

Who would have thought that pets could be form of arthritis treatment? Pets or animals' companionship are seen to have a positive effect to patients of arthritis as they can help relieve pain and reduce stress. They provide admirable social support, they relax your mood, and they encourage you to get out and exercise.

Alternative Therapy Works In Tandem With Traditional Cancer Treatment To Create A Balanced Wellness Plan

Dr. Paul Stallone of the Arizona Integrative Medical Center knows that each individual's illness is unique.  Treatment for cancer, be it breast cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer or any other form, is the same as any illness in that there are underlying factors for the illness, and these factors differ according to the patient.  Traditional treatment of cancer is vital to your recovery, and its works its best when the body and mind are strong and balanced.  A naturopathic medical doctor can help you achieve that balance, but how does that doctor know which of a variety of modalities will work best for you?   Dr. Stallone will tell you that the key is in listening and understanding in order to find the therapeutic options that work best in tandem with your cancer treatment.
Arizona Integrative Medical Center includes its patients in the process of building a wellness plan.  They go to great lengths to educate patients as to the treatments available to them, what they entail, and how they can help.  At first glance the following terms may seem foreign or even frightening to you:
  • Blood Irradiation
  • Ozone/Oxygen Therapies
  • IV Therapy-Vitamin C
  • Nutritional IV Therapy
  • Poly-MVA
  • DMSO
  • Immuno-modulation
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Homeopathic medicines
  • Supplements
  • Electrodermal Screening
  • Mind-Body Medicine
  • Botanical Medicine
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Lab Services/Testing
  • The truth is that they are alternative and homeopathic therapeutic options that can rebuild your immune system and increase your emotional strength.   The staff of Arizona Integrative Medical Center knows a treatment option will only work if a patient not only understands it but also feels comfortable with it. By allowing patients to participate in and influence treatment, patient and staff become true partners in the healing process.
    Natural and alternative methods of healing can be a great addition to your conventional treatment because of their ability to address emotional, physical, nutritional chemical and lifestyle issues, and to help you build strength from the inside out.  Support your body on a variety of different levels and prepare it so that your conventional cancer treatment can do its very best work by learning about the various alternative, naturopathic and homeopathic treatment modalities available to you.
    The physical and emotional support one needs when dealing with a cancer diagnosis is vital to the recovery process.  Find that support and gain a modicum of hope and positivity through treatment at Arizona Integrative Medical Center.