Humans have used natural therapies for thousands of years and although they will never take the place of modern medicine & science they offer a valuable resource and can truly complement our western approach to health.
Most are not mutually exclusive and can be used to treat a broad range of personal, emotional and physical complaints.For green parents they are ideal for using to treat many of the common problems experienced in pregnancy and early childhood and do not contribute to the build up of toxins in the body which is so important to avoid in new little bodies.
Ever read about Reiki or Homeopathy and wondered what they are or how they work? Then hopefully you will find this a helpful list of some of the natural approaches to healthcare available.
Don't forget to visit our directory for local therapists and national organisations.
Acupressure is the application of pressure to the body to affect the flow of energy (Ki) in the 12 meridians according to the principles of Oriental medicine. It is widely practised in China where more emphasis is given to a person's responsibility for their own health than it is in the West, and is often used as a self-help treatment.
Acupressure is believed to be the 'mother of Acupuncture' in that it predates the use of needles to stimulate the body's energy flow. It has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical procedure involving insertion and manipulation of needles at more than 360 points in the human body. Applied to relieve pain during surgery or in rheumatic conditions, and to treat many other illnesses, acupuncture is used today in most hospitals in China and by some private practitioners in Japan, Europe, and the United States.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed an energy called chi flows along invisible energy channels called 'meridians' which are believed to be linked to internal organs. Sticking needles at particular points along those meridians is believed to increase or decrease that flow of energy. Chinese traditional medicine sees that a balance has to be kept between two opposing yet complementary natural forces called 'yin' (female) and 'yang' (male). Yin force is seen as being passive, tranquil, and represents darkness, coldness, moisture and swelling. Yang force is seen a being aggressive and stimulating, and represents light, heat, dryness and contraction.
Acupuncture was developed in response to the theory that there are special "meridian points" on the body connected to the internal organs, and that "vital energy" flows along the meridian lines. According to this theory, diseases are caused by interrupted energy flow, and inserting and twirling needles restores normal flow.
Treatment - The primary use of acupuncture in China today is for surgical analgesia (pain relief). Chinese surgeons estimate that 30 per cent of surgical patients obtain adequate analgesia with acupuncture, which is now done by sending an electrical current through the needles rather than by twirling them. American doctors who have observed surgery done under acupuncture have verified that it is effective in some patients, but put the figure closer to 10 per cent. Brain surgery is especially amenable to this form of analgesia. Chinese surgeons claim that acupuncture is superior to Western, drug-induced analgesia in that it does not disturb normal body physiology, and, therefore, does not make the patient vulnerable to shock (acute fall in blood pressure). Chinese doctors also treat some forms of heart disease with acupuncture. As part of an attempt to put the practice on a more scientific basis, they studied the effects of acupuncture treatment on more than 600 people with chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. They claimed that almost all the patients greatly reduced their use of medicine, and that most were able to resume work. Other physiological conditions treated with acupuncture are peptic ulcers, hypertension (high blood pressure), appendicitis, and asthma. In 1979, the World Health Organisation listed some 40 diseases that could be successfully treated with acupuncture, including breathing difficulties, digestive problems, disorders of the nervous system and painful menstruation.
What is it? The art of applying essential oils to suit individual needs. The oils work directly on the chemistry of the body, via the skin and bloodstream. Essential oils are extracts that contain the substances that give plants their smell. They are produced by tiny glands in the petals, leaves, stems, bark and wood of many plants and trees. In nature, they are released slowly, but when heated or crushed, their oil glands burst, releasing the plant's aroma more strongly. It isn't known exactly when or where the art of aromatherapy began. It is thought that Chinese knowledge of medicinal oils may have reached the west by way of the Egyptians, Greeks and Roman. The first recorded use of plants in Britain was in the 13th century and from then on, manufacture increase and the oils became widely used as perfumes, antiseptics and medicines.
How are the oils applied? Usually by massage, they can be given as a relaxing treatment covering "stress" areas such as back, shoulders, face, legs. Essential oils can also be inhaled, using an oil burner or breathing in an infusion and can also be very beneficial when added to baths.
Who can it help? Aromatherapy is believed to be suitable for people of all ages, even babies. Aromatherapists claim that they can treat many conditions, and often see a great improvement in nervous disorders, such as depression, anger, stress and other related symptoms such as headaches and insomnia. Practitioners say that aromatherapy is safe for home use, but the following general guidelines should be observed: Only high quality oils should be bought from a specialist aromatherapy supplier. Pure oils should not be applied directly to the skin. Oils should not be swallowed unless they are supplied by a fully trained aromatherapist and used under his/her supervision. Some oils are to be avoided by pregnant women. Check with a trained aromatherapist.
Ayurveda is most certainly the most ancient of all medical systems. It has its origins in India, and is still the most important form of medicine in the Indian subcontinent; its philosophies are also gaining ground in the West. Despite its antiquity, there are relatively few practitioners, particularly in the UK, due in part to the very length training and the huge complexity of its philosophy and teaching. Classical Ayurvedic training is conducted in Sanskrit. Most Ayurvedic practitioners tend to be orthodox doctors as well.
The word 'Ayurveda' comes from Sanskrit and means 'the science of life', the whole aim of Ayurveda is prevention. The ancient texts say that the human lifespan should be around 100 years, and that all those years should be lived in total health, both physical and mental, therefore the Ayurvedic practitioner is looking to balance the body and mind, find health problems before they occur or arrest them before they do any real harm. It is a complete philosophical and spiritual system, which has over thousands of years become subtle, sophisticated and highly complex. However, the basic tenets are reasonably easy to understand and have changed little over the centuries. The five elements - ether, air, fire, water and earth are the foundations on which the Ayurvedic interpretation of all matter and life is based, they are not to be interpreted literally however, each represents qualities and different types of force and energy, as well as some form of physical manifestation. The elements do not act in isolation - three different combinations of the elements, called tridosha, are what form the basis for diagnosis, treatment, cure and health maintenance in Ayurvedic medicine.
Each individual's constitution is determined by the state of their parents' doshas at the time of conception, and upon birth a person has the levels of the three doshas that is right for them. Life and all its forces can cause the doshas to become unbalanced which can lead to ill health.
Each of the three doshas has a role to play in the body:
· VATHA is the driving force, it relates mainly to the nervous system and the body's energy center.
· PITTA is fire, it relates to the metabolism, digestion, enzymes, acid and bile.
· KAPHA is related to Water in the mucous membranes, phlegm, moisture, fat and lymphatics.
What to expect - There is no typical Ayurvedic session - even the methods of diagnosis may vary from practitioner to practitioner. The basic diagnosis is known as the three-point diagnosis and involves detailed observation of your appearance, examination by touch, and a detailed questionnaire about your life and health. After diagnosis comes treatment, and the range of treatments is vast, however, you will be given guidelines for healthy living and instructed in the diet, which will soothe and correct imbalances in your body type. You may be prescribed a course of purification to eliminate toxins from the body and to energize the body's elimination mechanisms. Herbal preparations may be prescribed. A host of other healing techniques including massage, exercise, breathing and meditation may be used.
The term 'Flower Remedy' refers to the products developed by Dr Edward Bach, a London bacteriologist and homoeopath. 'Flower Essences' are products devised by various people following on from Dr Bach's work. Dr Bach became disillusioned with the side effects of drug therapies and turned his research to the healing power of nature. He believed that illness was a result of mental or emotional balance and that the unique energetic property of a plant could be used to rectify an imbalance and restore the awareness of 'wholeness'. Using the homoeopathic law of potentisation, he reasoned that the healing effects of plants might also be contained in the morning dew found on their flowers.
Dr Bach believed that harmful emotions were the main cause of disease and he classified the various emotions into seven main categories. These seven categories were then divided further into 38 negative feelings. Each negative emotion is associated with a particular plant. He also developed a compound of five flowers called Rescue Remedy to be used in emergency situations or for trauma.
Flower Remedies and Essences are liquid preparations created by boiling parts of plants in spring water or by placing the flowers onto the surface of spring water and leaving them to infuse by natural sunlight for a period of time. After these processes, the water is preserved in brandy. Bach Flower Remedies are made of flowers found mostly in Britain. The Remedies are intended for self-help use, although many practitioners from other disciplines also prescribe their use. The Remedies are sold in concentrated form and the method of use is either by placing drops directly on the tongue, or by diluting them in liquid.
Chiropractic - from the Greek Chiropraktikos meaning "effective treatment by hand". Chiropractic medicine was originally practiced in the late 19th Century by Daniel Palmer, a schoolteacher turned healer. Palmer's interest in healing lay in the cause of illness and he devoted much time to studying other cultures and races to see how they approached the problem. He was fascinated to learn that the ancient Egyptians had used spinal manipulation on displaced vertebrae to give relief from a wide variety of ailments. Palmer became increasingly interested in this, and began to develop his own methods of manipulation. After a number of successful treatments, he set up the first training institute to promote and further develop chiropractic medicine
Chiropractors like to say that they practice bloodless surgery - their aim is to maintain the spine and nervous system in good health through neuromusculoskeletal manipulation. The same methods of consultation - case history, physical examination, labatory analysis and often x-rays are uniform throughout the industry.
A client will be asked to strip down to their underwear and posture will be studied whilst standing, sitting and lying down. Reflexes will be tested, and muscles palpated for signs of tension and spasm. Legs may also be measured to ascertain that they are of equal length. It is only after a thorough examination, that a chiropractor will decide if a problem is suitable for treatment. The aim of such treatment is to restore a full range of movement to the joints of the spine, relax and lengthen muscles, tendons and ligaments and relieve pain. Manipulation may be carried out by stretching muscles and short, controlled thrusts against a joint, also included in a treatment may be soft tissue techniques such as massage, heat, ice and kneading.
A treatment may last between 10-30 minutes, and generally a course will be prescribed to ensure maximum benefits are obtained. Chiropractors recommend the method for a variety of conditions ranging from chronic back trouble to migraine, ADD in children and many gynecological conditions. It does also have contraindications for a number of complaints such as osteoporosis, cancer and serious circulatory problems, so it is important to ensure that the practitioner is fully qualified and registered with a suitable governing body.
Craniosacral Therapy
Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a gentle form of holistic therapy developed from cranial osteopathy and oriental approach to bodywork. It uses touch to evaluate and affect the cranio-sacral system, i.e. the cranium (skull), the spinal column and the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is believed that changes in the cerebrospinal fluid will in turn affect every cell in the body via the connective tissue.
Dr John E Upledger, an American osteopath, developed cranio-sacral therapy from the cranial osteopathy work of Dr William Garner Sutherland. The key differences in Upledger's development of the therapy was to focus the treatment on the soft tissues, fluid and membrane of the cranio-sacral system rather than the bones, and that the rhythm of the cranio-sacral fluid was independent to the heart and respiration rates.
Treatment usually takes place on a couch with the client wearing light clothing. The practitioner will gently palpate areas of the body (usually the sacrum at the base of the spine and the head), using a very light touch to feel the cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) of the cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment aim is to restore balance by allowing the removal of restrictions to the movement of the CRI to facilitate the body's own self-healing. A Cranio-Sacral session will normally last between 30 and 60 minutes and is suitable for everyone, including babies, children and the elderly.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy may help many conditions as it can affect all aspects of the body by enhancing general health, reducing stress and improving brain and spinal cord function. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, scoliosis, coordination problems, post-operative care, sports injuries, depression, birth trauma, hyperactivity and hormonal imbalances.
As a form of treatment that is said to be as old as mankind itself, it is interesting to notice that this most ancient form of medicine is coming back to challenge the most sophisticated system of medicine in the world's history. Today, the World Health Organisation estimates that, worldwide, herbal medicine is three to four times more commonly practised than conventional medicine.
It can be said that the origins of modern medicine, with its heavy reliance on drug prescription to treat specific diseases, lie in herbal medicine. Some of the best modern drugs are purified products of herbs, and in worldwide use.
Primitive tribes still use their traditional knowledge of plants and their healing properties and, in early civilisations, food and medicine were closely linked together, as many plants were eaten for their health-giving properties.
Much of Britain's knowledge about the use of herbs can be traced back to ancient Egypt where the priests kept that knowledge. A papyrus from the city of Thebes dating back from1500 BC lists hundreds of medicinal herbs, including many that are still in use today.
The ancient Greeks and Romans also were practitioner of herbal medicine and much of their knowledge has been passed on as their armies conquered the world and military doctors took the plants and their uses with them. Two more cultures which have always relied very heavily on herbal medicine are the Chinese and the Indians and, to this day, China herbs play a vital part in health care.
In Britain, from the Dark Ages well into medieval times, herbals were painstakingly hand-copied in the monasteries, each of which had its own physic garden for growing herbs to treat both monks and local people. In rural areas, particularly in the west and Wales, the Druids are believed to have had an oral tradition of herbal medicine, mixing medicine with mysticism and rituals.
The crucial difference between medical herbalists and today's orthodox doctor is, firstly, that the herbalist looks at the patient as a whole, while conventional doctors look for symptoms which enable them to diagnose and treat diseases. They see the person as the carrier of a disease, whilst the herbalist regards the patient as a diseased person, requiring a holistic treatment. Secondly, the medical herbalist is using whole plants or plant products containing active constituents, while doctors use these constituents in refined and isolated forms or synthetics.
As medical herbalists have become more scientifically minded in their research, so a new word has been coined to described their work: phytotherapy, from the Greek words phyton, meaning 'plant', and therapeuein, 'to take care of, to heal'.
A medical herbalist will treat the patient as an individual , with individual weaknesses and needs. He/She is likely to enquire about lifestyle, diet, stresses and look for any imbalance and disharmony, seeking the cause of the illness. Each treatment is tailored to specific and varying requirements
Homoeopathy is a system of prescribing which uses plants, minerals, and some animal remedies, prescribed on the principle that "Like cures like". This is called the simile principle. The word "homoeopathy" is derived from the Greek words "homoios" meaning like or similar, and "pathos" meaning suffering." Let like be cured by like"
This exploits the property of some medicinal substances to stimulate the natural healing energy of the individual. The activity of this healing process is demonstrated by the symptoms of an illness, and a remedy is chosen which has been found when taken by healthy volunteers to cause symptoms similar to that illness.
This system of therapeutics was discovered by Hahnemann at the end of the eighteenth century. He found that cinchona bark, which was used to treat swamp fever (now known as malaria), when taken by him produced the same symptoms as the disease. Here was a strange phenomenon, a remedy which was an effective treatment for a disease inducing the symptoms of that disease when given to a healthy person. He decided to experiment further. He took further doses himself, and gave some to his family. He found in every case that symptoms of swamp fever occurred on taking the cinchona bark, which stopped on ceasing to take it.
He now began to determine and record the effect of a large number of substances on the human body. He gathered together a band of helpers to whom he gave remedies, interrogating them daily on sensations experienced .He called this a proving. He was thus able to produce a materia medica consisting of symptoms produced in healthy volunteers. This materia medica represented a vast collection of very accurate observations. These pictures, when matched with the symptoms of a sick person, enabled him to identify the remedy which would cure the patient. He found when actually treating patients that a small material dose of the substance would produce an aggravation of symptoms before it cured. He then started to dilute the remedies, and vigorously shaking them (succussing) between dilutions. This produced a cure without the aggravation. He also found that a remedy so treated was more powerful as a curative, and so he called the process potensisation.
Homoeopathy is still based on this principle when used today, 200 years later then Hahnemann's time. It is very different from conventional medicine and is frequently misunderstood and denigrated . In conventional medicine we are taught to think in terms of disease and pathological states, changes from the normal physiological state wrought by outside factors such as infection trauma and stress, and also conditions arising from allergy or even autoimmunity. In order to treat such disease states we try to make a diagnosis based on symptoms and physical signs. This may enable us to find a cause for which there is a specific treatment or failing this, to treat the patient's complaints by symptomatic measures. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on treating the patient as a whole, medicine is in actual fact becoming increasingly fragmented and specialised, and there are few treatments which cure the patient as a whole.
If we look more closely at the patient, we find that although symptoms of a disease fall into a variety of categories which are more or less well defined, there are also other symptoms present. These vary from case to case, and are unique to that person. Thus no one case, even of a well defined disease like chickenpox, or pneumonia, exactly resembles another, any more than two individuals are ever absolutely identical. In other words the symptoms and signs of the disease are modified by the reaction of the patient.
The basis of homoeopathy is that the most successful remedy for any given occasion will be the one whose symptomatology presents the clearest and closest resemblance to the symptom complex of the sick person in question.
That is: let like be treated by like. Examples of this are as follows:-
The effects of peeling an onion are very similar to the symptoms of a cold or hay fever, and the remedy prepared from onion is used to treat colds and hay fever where the symptoms are similar.
The symptoms and signs of arsenic poisoning are very similar to those of certain cases of gastro-enteritis, and the remedy arsenicum album is used to treat these cases, with success.
So the first and fundamental principle of homoeopathy is the selection and use of a similar remedy.
The second and more controversial issue is the use of remedies in apparently very small quantities. This in itself is not homoeopathy but a refining of the basic method worked out by Hahnemann. Recent research has indicated that during potentisation an imprint of the molecular structure of the remedy is left in the liquid ,and this is therapeutically active.
Further research has shown that homoeopathic remedies are more successful than placebo and in some cases than conventional treatment in certain illnesses. It is believed that the natural healing process of the organism is stimulated by the remedy.
In spite of the general scepticism of many conventional medical practitioners homoeopathy works and has a place in modern therapeutics. It is prescribable on the NHS, and has been used by the Royal Family for many years.
Homoeopathic treatment can aid recovery in many conditions where a medical practitioner might wish to avoid the use of allopathic medicines. Since it stimulates the natural healing process there is less likelihood of recurrence of the condition, and homoeopathic treatment leads to an improvement in general health. There are applications for the use of homoeopathy in some conditions which are difficult to treat by conventional means. Remedies may afford relief to sufferers who find side effects of some drugs too unpleasant. Homoeopathic remedies can be used together with allopathic drugs and other conventional treatment quite safely and effectively, they are without side effects and can be used in pregnancy, for young infants, and the elderly; they are inexpensive and treatment is cost-effective.
Homoeopathy is indicated in the treatment of many conditions:
- in the initial treatment of acute infections, of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and skin.
- for chronic conditions such as skin disease, arthritis, postviral fatigue.
- for recurrent conditions-upper respiratory tract infections, glue ear, rhinitis, bronchitis, cystitis, vaginitis.
- in the treatment of hormone related diseases-PMT, endometriosis, and menopausal problems.
- for psychosomatic problems, stress related illnesses, including headaches, migraine, backache and muscular tension.
- for allergies
- for depression and anxiety
Article written by Dr Prunella E Mark
Sources:
"Classical Homoeopathy" by Dr Margery Blackie
"Introduction to Homoeopathic Medicine" by Dr Hamish Boyd
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Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with what can be seen on stage where performers try to manipulate people into acting in silly ways. Unfortunately, much of the public knowledge of hypnosis is based on such shows which very often leads to a fear of hypnosis and a reluctance on the part of many people to seek for the help that hypnotherapy can give.
Somewhere between wakefulness and sleep is the state of consciousness that hypnotherapists use. That trance like state is similar to the one that occurs spontaneously in sleepwalking or daydreaming. Most people will experience hypnosis as a state in which they become more aware of their inner being, their emotions and state of mind so as to make it possible to work and transform those emotions and states which may have become a problem. You will not lose consciousness or awareness, but become able to gain a different perspective on what has been troubling you.
Most people talk and act as if the conscious mind is the prime mover behind our behaviour and regard the unconscious mind as something vague, that they are not really aware of. In fact, the unconscious mind is always working, monitoring and affecting all the physical and psychological functions of the mind and the body, from blood pressure and hormone levels to states of hunger and fatigue, even when we are asleep. The sum of what we have learned and experienced is also stored within the unconscious mind, and our memory holds far more than we can usually remember at a conscious level
Through accessing that unconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help you learn how to react differently to certain situations and help you to understand better the development mechanism of your mind. For example, if you have to prepare for an exam and feel nervous about it, you can learn how to access and strengthen your ability to relax and apply that to the situation of passing an exam. Once you know how to do that, then it becomes easier to "decide" how you would like to feel and react in a given situation.
It also is possible with hypnotherapy to access memories and past events which are still having a detrimental impact on the present. By understanding better what happened and how patterns of behaviour and feelings were created, then it becomes possible to transform how those memories affect us in our life. You can't erase and forget the past, but you can learn to feel differently about it.
Really, that will depend on what is troubling you. A good therapist will try to help you understand what is the root cause of your problem and how to transform your response to it.
Remember that you already have within yourself the answers to the problem, even if you are not aware of that at a conscious level. No matter how good he/she is, the therapist cannot just give you the answers that you seek as he/she cannot know what is the best solution for you. He/she can only help you to find those answers within yourself and help you draw on your existing resources to transform your emotional difficulties. The therapist will help you access and utilise those resources so that you may learn how to make better use of them.
Hypnotherapy is particularly useful in helping people to deal with stress and anxiety related conditions such as panic attacks, phobias, insomnia and other emotional problems like depression, lack of confidence and self esteem, etc.
It can also be of help with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, skin problems, ulcers, asthma and high blood pressure. It can be of great help in the management of chronic pain.
Hypnotherapy can also help you change unwelcome habits such as smoking and nail-biting, and deal with problems relating to food and body image. This is achieved by finding out what the real problem is and finding better, more positive ways to meet your needs.
The Hypnotherapy Association (HA) is a non profit making organisation run by practising hypnotherapists, offering a free referral service to members of the public.
Iridology
Iridology was developed in Hungary in the 19th Century and involves the study of the Iris of the eye (the coloured sector) and the Pupil, using microscopic analysis of the surface structures to determine the health of the whole body. Genetic strengths and weaknesses, levels of inflammation and toxicity, the efficiency of the eliminative organs all build up a picture of both current health status and predispositions. An Iridologist may use a specialist camera to take pictures of a client's iris, or simply examine them with an ophthalmoscope and will not claim to diagnose an actual disease with these methods, but to identify weaknesses in the body.
Iridology is a safe, non-invasive and inexpensive method of analysis that can be integrated into both orthodox and complementary medicine. Medical research in several European countries and Russia in particular has established greater acceptance of Iridology. In Russia, a trial involving 800,000 patients found Iridology to be 85% accurate in diagnosis; in South Korea clinical trials by the government found that on average Iridology was 78.2% accurate but with an impressive 90.2% accuracy in the diagnosis of digestive system disorders. By contrast, orthodox medicine considers other diagnostic techniques as reliable if they are accurate within a range of 30 - 40%.
Iridology has much to offer medicine. It is already taught to medical students in certain European universities. In the USA, a professorship has recently been conferred on a Fellow of The Guild of Naturopathic Iridology by a leading medical teaching university. His role there is to instigate the teaching of Iridology in particular plus other forms of complementary medicine. Gradually Iridology will become an integrated diagnostic method.
The human iris and pupil - the eye- is one of the most intricate structures in nature and is one of the most visible parts. Its thousands of nerve endings are connected to the brain via the hypothalamus, giving readouts on conditions in all organs and systems of the body. The iris provides accurate information about our constitutional type, helping patients to understand their strengths and weaknesses, thereby enabling them to become more personally aware of what they can do to help themselves in both the short and long-term. As bodily tissues become inflamed or congested, the iris registers the processes, enabling the Iridologist to determine the root cause of current disorders. For example, a toxic digestive system may be responsible for seemingly unrelated problems such as migraines, skin disorders or joint problems
A few minutes focused observation of the eyes will point you in the right direction, saving a great deal of time, energy, guesswork and frustration. By establishing the root cause of disorders, an appropriately trained and qualified Iridologist can advise the most effective forms of therapy that will attain the best results for the individual - a truly wholistic approach. Members of The Guild of Naturopathic Iridology are qualified not only in Iridology but also in at least one other therapeutic science e.g. herbal medicine, homoeopathy, orthodox medicine, nutrition, naturopathy.
For further information about Iridology visit the website www.gni-international.org
The word 'kinesiology' comes from the Greek work kineses, which means motion. In the medical sciences it is the name given to the study of muscles and the movement of the body. 'Applied Kinesiology' was the name given by its inventor, Dr George Goodheart, to the system of applying muscle testing diagnostically and therapeutically to different aspects of health care. Today Applied Kinesiology refers only to the parent system, as taught by the International College of Applied Kinesiology. As a number of different branches have evolved, the term Kinesiology has come to be accepted as a general term for all of these systems.
Kinesiology is a system of diagnosis and treatment that asks the body what it wants by combining muscle testing with the principles of Chinese medicine, to assess energy and body function, using a range of gentle yet powerful techniques. Muscle testing is the principal method of assessment used in Kinesiology, and it is the use of muscle testing that distinguishes it from other therapies. There are a number of different ways of using muscle testing in assessment - as a series of specific muscles tests, to find out how well the body is functioning in all aspects - structural, chemical and emotional, and with an indicator muscle test, which uses a single muscle to get a non-verbal response to a stimulus. All branches of Kinesiology use both methods, and some branches make greater use of the indicator muscle test.
The Kinesiology Federation gives the following definition:
'Kinesiology, literally the study of body movement, is a holistic approach to balancing the movement and interaction of a person's energy systems. Gentle assessment of muscle response monitors those areas where blocks and imbalances are impairing physical, emotional or energetic well -being. The same method can identify factors that may be contributing to such imbalances. The body's natural healing responses are stimulated by attention to reflex and acupressure points, and by use of specific body movements and nutritional support. These can lead to increased physical and mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.'
Almost all Kinesiologists will give a session lasting one hour or longer. Much of the first session will be spent in gathering information, in order that the practitioner can built up a picture of the balance of your structural, nutritional and emotional state. The Kinesiologist will pay attention to any specific symptoms you may have, but all aspects will by covered, as it is a holistic treatment. At the end of the first session, the practitioner will be able to give you a summary of the main areas of imbalance that your body has shown. You may also be told about the corrections you have been given. You may be advised to attend weekly for three to four sessions, and then at less frequent intervals.
Massage is a systematic, therapeutic stroking and kneading of the soft tissues of the body. The word is derived from the Greek 'masso', to knead and the Arabic 'mass', to press gently. It has been used as a form of therapy for thousands of years and touch is the most instinctive response to pain. Touch is an essential requirement for healthy development in early life and research has shown the babies who have received massage from their mothers have increased weight gain, increased nerve and brain cell development and better hormonal functioning and cell activity. Earliest records of the use of massage as a therapy come from China over 5,000 years ago. The use of massage in the West became more popular in the 16th Century when a French doctor, Ambroise Pare incorporated a more anatomical and physiological approach. A Swede, Per Henrik Ling, developed a system of massage and gymnastics in the early 19th Century which became what we now know as Swedish Massage. There are many different types of massage that have been developed; some approaches focus on the physical effects that the massage techniques have on the body, whilst others focus attention on the flow of 'energy' within the body. All types of massage can have an effect on the skin, muscles, blood vessels, lymph, nerves and some of the internal organs.
The relationship between the exterior and interior of the body is closely interlinked via the nervous system and it has been found that by stimulating specific areas on the surface of the body can have a corresponding effect on the internal organs and systems of the body. The dermis layer of the skin contains nerve endings which respond to touch and, on stimulation, the receptor nerves relay impulses via the spinal cord back to the brain. The brain then relays messages back to the area involved. The effects may include the relaxation of voluntary muscles, the sedation of nerve sensors and improved blood circulation to the area. The receptor nerve endings affected by touch travel more quickly than those involved in chronic pain and can reduce the brain's perception of the amount of pain from the affected area. Chemicals known as endorphins are also released from the brain and act as the body's natural painkillers. These help to counter the sensation of chronic pain and give a feeling of well-being and relaxation.
Nutritional Therapy is not just about healthy eating. It is a form of complementary medicine in which a practitioner will work with a patient or client, helping their body rid itself of stressful substances, providing raw materials, and improving the assimilation of food in order to aid physical repair. In a recent survey of 300 people treated by a nutritional therapist, it was found that 85% of headache/migraine sufferers, 82% of people with digestive problems, 70% of people with hormone-related problems, 55% of chronic fatigue sufferers and 54% of people with skin problems reported a definite, lasting improvement, usually within two months(1).
How well we feel depends on the efficiency with which our body produces hormones, enzymes, prostaglandins, blood cells, antibodies and countless other substances. All these substances are made from food, but many people cannot assimilate their food properly, perhaps because of poor digestion or chronic irritation of the digestive system. They may also have a toxic overload - a build-up of unwanted waste substances that get in the way of efficient functioning. Food allergies or intolerances can also cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms, which may be delayed or chronic, and difficult to relate to a specific food.
People who have used a lot of antibiotics in the past can also be prone to dysbiosis. This is the excessive growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, including candida albicans (which you may have heard of) in the intestine. Dysbiosis irritates the digestive tract and this irritation may impair digestion and absorption of nutrients. Many undesirable bacteria and yeasts also produce toxic waste products which get absorbed into our bloodstream and make us feel tired or unwell.
Nutritional therapists aim to improve your body's efficiency by identifying and then dealing with these problems using a number of different types of diets, herbs and dietary supplements, according to individual need. An efficiently functioning body finds it easier to repair itself and heal itself, but if you have a serious illness much will depend on your body's powers of recuperation and on other factors such as stress.
These days you can find many different books around on the subject of diets. Many of these have been written by people who have overcome their own problems with various types of diet. However, we are all different in our inheritance, our life experiences, our diets (past and present) and our combination of health problems. Therefore, what works for one will not necessarily work for someone else with a similar problem. It is for this reason that naturopathic practitioners see each person as an individual with their own set of circumstances. These circumstances may include features in common with people troubled by similar complaints but in addition there may be factors particular to you. It is discovering these additional factors that is often the key to successful treatment.
Source: Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy (SPNT)
A system of therapeutics, based on the normalising of the body and its functions on the principle that health depends on the maintenance of proper relationships among the various parts of the body. According to osteopathic theory, defects in the musculo-skeletal system-the muscles, bones, and joints-influence the natural function of internal organs. To correct structural abnormalities, osteopathic therapy, or treatment with the hands or by mechanical means, is used (including massage to relax stiff muscles, stretching to help joint mobility, and manipulation and high-velocity thrust techniques which can restore easy movement to the body). Using these techniques, the osteopath will endeavours to remove the abnormalities and thus re-establish the normal functioning of the body's activities.
Osteopathic medicine holds that true health involves complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease. The body is viewed as having a capacity for health that the osteopath can help the individual fulfil. He or she must therefore treat the whole patient, considering such factors as nutrition and mental habits in addition to the physical symptoms.
According to Still, all diseases are caused by obstruction of arteries or nerves because of the pressure of maladjusted bones, especially of the vertebrae of the spinal column. He therefore maintained that most ailments can be prevented or cured by techniques of spinal manipulation.
Osteopaths are generally consulted to treat problems of the musculo-skeletal structure such as back pain, and many doctors refer patients to them for such treatments. It can also be used to ease pain during pregnancy, for asthma, constipation and pre-menstrual syndrome.
According to a Which? Way to health survey published in October 1993, an estimated 100'000 people in Britain visit an osteopath every week
Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated.
It is said to have originated in China some 5000 years ago, when pressure therapy where used to correct energy fields in the body. It was not until around 1913 that the therapy was introduced to the west by an American ear, nose and throat consultant, Dr William Fitzgerald.
In the feet, there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side of the body. Thus, it becomes possible to treat the whole body and the treat the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of a natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also their causes.
It is thought that illness occurs when 'energy channels' in the body are blocked, causing damage to one area of another. Massage is aimed at destroying these blocks, allowing energy to flow freely again and so to heal the damage.
Reflexology does not claim to be a "cure all", but numerous different disorders seem to be responding well to this natural therapy. These disorders include such things as migraine, sinus problems, hormonal imbalances, breathing difficulties, digestive problems, circulatory problems, back problems, tension and stress.
When first visiting a reflexologist, a detailed medical history will be taken. The "patient" will then be seated in a reclining chair and asked to remove shoes and socks.
The practitioner will initially examine the feet before commencing with the precise massage movement. The particular type of massage involved require the application of a firm pressure using the side and end of the thumb. In some instances, the fingers may also be employed.
All areas on both feet will be massaged. Areas corresponding to parts of the body which are out of balance will feel uncomfortable or tender when massaged and the degree of tenderness will indicate the degree of imbalance. The sensitivity of the feet varies from person to person and the trained practitioner will understand the correct pressure to apply and how to interpret the tenderness felt. The massage should not be uncomfortable, even to the most sensitive feet.
The full treatment can last up to an hour and at the end of the session, the feet should feel warm and the patient relaxed. The number of treatment sessions required will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Following treatment, it is sometime possible that the eliminating systems of the body become more active in order to rid the body of unwanted toxic matter. For example, treatment of a congested sinus may result in a cold; and constipation treatment can cause increased bowel movements. however, if treatment is correctly applied, these reactions should not be severe
Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life (Rei) Energy (Ki). It is a spiritual healing discipline and has its roots in ancient Buddhist teachings. The founder of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui, spent many years seeking the knowledge of healing and found information on Reiki in Sanskrit texts. He received information on Reiki through a vision when meditating on a Japanese mountain.
Reiki is the vital life energy which flows through all living things and which can be activated for the purpose of healing. Reiki practitioners believe that everyone has the ability to connect to their own healing energy and use it for the purposes of strengthening the Ki (or life energy) of others. The Reiki therapist channels the Ki through his or her hands to the recipient, activating the body's natural ability to heal itself. When a person's Ki is strong and flowing freely, the body and mind are in a positive state of health. However, the vital energy may become weak or blocked, and this may lead to symptoms on a physical or emotional level.
A Reiki practitioner will have received 'attunements' to open their healing channels. The guidelines for the practise of Reiki are concerned with ethics and behaviour and include living in harmony with others, taking responsibility for one's own health and happiness, helping others, and being positive about all things.
Curable from Within - a non-profit organisation based in the UK which promotes awareness of Reiki and other Natural Therapies to people with terminal and life threatening illnesses and disabilities.
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese healing art. It has its roots in ancient Oriental medicine and has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anma, a traditional Japanese form of massage. The philosophy underlying Shiatsu is that vital energy (Qi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese) flows throughout the body in a series of channels called meridians. For many different reasons, Ki can stop flowing freely and this then produces a symptom. Shiatsu can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions - from specific injuries to more general symptoms of poor health.
Shiatsu uses touch to affect the flow of Ki in the meridians. A Shiatsu practitioner will consider your state of health, the symptoms you are experiencing and depending on your constitution and general energy levels, will use a variety of techniques to improve your energy flow. These may include gentle holding, pressing with palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet on the meridians, and when appropriate, more dynamic rotations and stretches. As the quality of the Ki changes, the symptoms associated with an imbalance in the movement of Ki will gradually improve. Shiatsu is a therapy that works on the individual as a complete being - the physical body and also on an emotional and/or mental level.
Each treatment will last approximately one hour. The first session will be longer since a detailed case history will be taken to develop a complete picture of your health according to the principles of Oriental Medicine. Each session usually takes place on a padded mat or futon at floor level. The client stays fully clothed.
There are several different styles of Shiatsu, and most Shiatsu Schools teach more than one style to their students. As a result, many practitioners use a blend of treatment approaches to their practice of Shiatsu.
Sources: The Shiatsu Society UK
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Alternative Healing Therapies
- increased oxygenation of the blood
- Muscle toning throughout the body
- a clearer and more relaxed mind
- improved posture
- improved circulation of blood and lymph
- regulation of bodily functions
