Types of Alternate Therapies and their Significance

Naturopathy: This alternative medicines stream believes in natural healing properties of herbs and herbal products and the natural ability of our body to protect against any disease.

Chiropractic Healing: This deals with diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders that affect the nervous system resulting in consequences that affect general health.

Herbal or traditional Chinese medicine: This is an ancient Chinese healing method practiced for centuries and mostly relies on herbs for treatment.

Unani: Unani and Ayurveda have lot of common factors. This relies on regulating the five energy elements namely Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Metal.

Ayurveda: Traditional Indian medicines which believes in regulating the five basic elements of life and regulation of life according to the Natural Changes for healthy living.

Meditation: Meditation is about an art which aims at regulating the attention or systematically focusing on particular inner and outer aspects.

Yoga: This is an art which aims at regulating, preventing and curing of any problem in a systematic way by proper breathing technique, exercise, food and relaxation.

Acupuncture: An ancient chines medicine which believes in regulating “chi” energy by puncturing points along the energy channels in our body. Acupressure is derived from Acupuncture and is safer than the former.

There are several other treatment options too many of which have proven to be effective and reliable methods. Though they are claimed to lack scientific evidence their efficiency cannot be undermined. Ayurveda and Acupressure and few other methods are recognized by WHO for their results.

Most of the above mentioned treatments cure few diseases which are termed incurable to effectively manages and alleviates the pain that comes along. These methods have been into existence and use for several centuries and it’s still practiced because of the results though they might lack the evidence that is required by the western scientists.

Acupressure is a very good and natural way to do it. Acupuncture as you all know is an ancient Chinese therapy. The word acu means fine needle and to “puncture”. Acupressure is an advanced methodology of acupuncture which is sans needle. Here pressure is applied to the points. This makes it much safer than using a needle and avoid major complications that acupuncture had.

Prevention and detection of diseases with acupressure is not all you can treat most common to major diseases effectively. It is advisable that you consult an acupressure doctor for treatment though with little efforts you can practice yourself too which is the greatest advantage.

Acupressure is mainly based on the concept of “chi energy” and regulation of the same. The acupressure points are all over the body and very easy to locate. The energy channels run through the body which helps in regulation of chi energy. Acupressure points are classified based on the location and importance.

Our hands and soles have all the vital organ points and massaging them with acupressure tools everyday for 10 – 15 minutes will give the overall body a good vibe, regulate energy across all the main channels and improve general health. There are few specific points which relate to organs which when applied right pressure signal the presence of any discomfort in those organs. Thus preventions and detection of diseases with acupressure is possible. For e.g: Tip of the thumb point to brain.

A regular pressure of three minutes will develop the memory capacity in children and efficient functioning and thinking ability in adults. There is point in the central point at your wrist when you are with your palm facing you. Regular pressure on the point strengthens your immune system and and is the point used to detect major diseases like cancer!! This is a simple example to illustrate that preventions and detection of diseases with acupressure is not a myth.

A scientific and efficient approach the natural way is acupressure. Not only this, there are lot of instances where acupressure was used to give anesthesia to patients during surgery. There are few diseases that might not be treatable with acupressure but it’s an efficient tool in easing the pain and suffering of the symptoms. You could ask you doctor to suggest points that you could administer during pain and discomfort too.

Common cold to sinus problems to arthritis to sciatica acupressure is handy and effective. Not only prevention and detections of diseases with acupressure you can use this science to also maintain a healthy and disease free life by regulating the “chi energy” in your body.

This says it all for any skeptics who are against this treatment method as everyone knows WHO does not recognize any treatment without considerable evidences. Now let us have a look at the use of acupressure for common day-day ailments.

Dandruff : This is a very common yet embarrassing and recurring problem for both men and women. Treating dandruff is possible and effective with Acupressure. Dandruff occurs due to congestion or blockage of the vital energy due to several reasons like lack of sleep. Thus mild pressure or a gently massage on the affected area the scalp would give a relief from dandruff. Not only that it also relaxes the mind and body and gives a peaceful sleep which is a vital contributing factor in alleviating dandruff.

Back Ache : To get relief from constant back ache the point to be stimulated for smooth energy flow is the B54. This point lies exactly in the middle of the crease behind the knees. Giving pressure on these points (both the legs) gives immediate relief from pain. It’s advisable to lie down relaxed for a few minutes after this.

Frozen Shoulder Pain and Back Pain : Shiastu is a massaging technique which is a part or a method of acupressure. Shiastu massage effectively treats back ache and frozen shoulder pain.

Sinus : Sinus can be treated very effectively with acupressure. The point located at tip of the eyebrow & the finger tips is used to treat sinus and pain related to it.

Tips to follow when using Acupressure : Drink lots of water once you get up. Drink fresh fruit juice everyday if possible. Avoid Non-Veg and Fried foods as much as possible. Acupressure should be done thirty minutes prior to food or two hours after food.

Not only that fever, cold, nausea, BP and lots more are effectively treated through acupressure. Acupressure not only cures or relieves pain it also prevents and detects any problem in our body at early stages. Regular acupressure everyday for ten to fifteen minutes a day at your convenient timings can work wonders in your health. Acupressure advocates consumption if two and half litres a day minimum as water has an important role in purification. Use this healing art lead a healthy and happy life!!

How does it work?

Nature is a tremendous source of energy called “Chi” which is also the governing energy of our body. Each organ has it’s own meridians running through our body which regulates this energy for efficient functioning of the body. This energy controls our blood circulation, balance and basic functions of our body. Acupressure is about treating any problem by giving pressure on the concerned points located in their respective meridians. Healing is achieved when the blocked or congested energy channels are cleared.

Acupressure and it’s advantages: Unlike acupuncture, acupressure does not impose lot of threats. Acupressure is acupuncture minus it’s bad effects. With acupuncture there were complication which were fatal when the punctured point became septic or unclean needle usage and lots more. With acupuncture not only the treatment in itself is less aggressive but friendly too.

Also acupressure is not only used for healing or relieving pain it can also be used to maintain a balance in our body and to maintain good health. Regular acupressure activates all the meridians and key points thus enable smooth functioning and balance of our body thus resulting in good health. It’s not a healing method it’s a complete health regulating art.

Treatment Method: Acupressure mostly uses finger as the instrument to give pressure but there are other instruments that are available in the market. Acupressure can be given in a sitting or lying position when the patient is relaxed. The treatment is preferably given before meals or two hours after a meal.

Generally it’s OK to get started with normal activities immediately after the treatment but there are exception when the patient is asked to rest for 30 minutes to an hour when vital points are given pressure. A qualified acupressure doctor should be consulted for treatment and with his guidance pressure can be given at home.

In short, this art of healing is complete in it’s context for maintaining health. It can be used to alleviate minor problems like cold, head ache to any major diseases. It’s an effective pain reliever and can also aid to prevent and detect major diseases like cancer.

Like I said earlier the universal controlling energy is “chi” and by regulating this energy or channelizing this energy we can achieve perfect health.

Reflexology for healthy lifestyle: Reflexology practitioners suggest giving pressure to all the points in the hand using one of the instruments available in the market everyday for five to fifteen minutes to maintain a healthy body. With reflexology every organ can be vitalized and overall functioning is improved.

Detection of diseases with Reflexology: A reflexology practitioner is able to detect the exact problem including major diseases like cancer or heart attack. Also there are specific points which pertain to overall immunity enhancement and pain relief which can be used as complimentary treatment with other treatments.

Scientific approach?: Reflexology does not have any scientific proof or base. Till date there is no solid scientific proof or evidence of the efficiency. Scientists have strictly condemned it’s use as a main treatment stream for serious complications. Though they claim it’s not efficient there are evidences of reflexology being used for centuries.

A reflexologist detects the problem using the stress clues that are seen as visual signs of knobby toes etc. The reflexogist then fixes a time and targets the area of stress and applies a proper pressure technique to relax and ease out the stress thus giving relief to the patient. The patient is generally relaxed as the treatment is generally not too painful and most of the times bearable and relaxation or relief is achieved during the treatment itself.

There are lot of people who speak for and against this treatment methodology and unlike acupressure which has been accepted as a treatment method this is outright rejected by many. There are lot of self-help books available in the market which can go a long way in learning and practicing this art.