It's time to ditch that image of weirdly beardy men brewing lotions and potions – all kinds of people practice alternative medicine. Whilst modern medicine looks at solving a problem, curing disease and alleviating symptoms using drugs, alternative medicine takes a more holistic approach to health. Here's the FD Online mini-guide to alternative treatments.
It's time to ditch that image of weirdly beardy men brewing lotions and potions – all kinds of people practice alternative medicine. Whilst modern medicine looks at solving a problem, curing disease and alleviating symptoms using drugs, alternative medicine takes a more holistic approach to health. Here's the FD Online mini-guide to alternative treatments.
Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese art based on the theory that energy flows along meridians in the body. Inserting fine needles at specific points can straighten out imbalances in the body's energy paths. Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses including asthma, addiction, arthritis, depression, anxiety, blood pressure disorder and problems with the digestive system.
Herbal medicine: Whilst many commercially produced pharmaceutical products are derived from herbs, herbal medicines use the whole plant rather than an extract. The therapeutic properties of plants can help most illnesses including migraine, arthritis, depression, insomnia and lung, stomach, blood and skin disorders. Tell your GP if you're taking herbal medicines if he or she is about to treat you, they can interact with certain drugs.
Homoeopathy: The principle behind homeopathy is that if something makes a healthy person unwell it can be used to treat the same symptoms in someone who is already ill, ie simulating an illness will strengthen the body's power of recovery. It's used on asthma, allergies, anxiety, tension, menstrual problems and morning sickness.
Massage: Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissue to aid wellbeing. Treatment is designed to create a state of being both relaxed and alert, it can provide relief from stress, faster recovery time from an injury, and a greater sense of self-awareness.
Osteopathy: Osteopaths manipulate the muscles and spine, joints and bones to improve mobility and balance. It can help with many types of specific injury and be useful in treating arthritis, sciatica, headaches, depression, digestion problems and improve general health.
Reflexology: A type of deep foot or hand massage designed to relax the whole body through the reflex response, and stimulate the body's healing process. The thumbs are used extensively to break up crystalline deposits that have formed at the nerve endings, particularly on the bottom of the feet.
Shiatsu: Shiatsu means finger, or thumb pressure. Like acupuncture, it is based on the theory that meridians, or lines, of energy run through the body and can be manipulated. Techniques include pounding, stretching and rocking and pressure may be applied by use of forearms, elbows, palms, feet and knees. The end result should be greater mobility and flexibility, and a sense of being both relaxed and energised.
Yoga: All-round energiser, shown to alleviate stress and aid relaxation. Yoga has been seen to be useful in the treatment of those who suffer conditions that affect or are affected by posture, such as backache and arthritis.