Alternative Therapies are traditionally those scientifically unproven therapies which are used to provide cure for such ailments and pathological ailments that mainstream medical science is unable to treat.
Alternative Therapies have a long and rich history that goes thousands of years back. Different civilizations evolved their own methods to treat various diseases and epidemics affecting them. Many of such therapies were discarded when they were proved non functional. But those that were successful have found their way right to the modern times. And even the mainstream medical science has started to accept their relevance and utility.
There are five major demarcations in Alternative Therapies.
Alternative Medical System
These are the traditional systems of therapies. They include
Mind Body Techniques
These techniques are founded on the theory that mental and emotional factors have a dominant affect on physical health. This theory has been scientifically corroborated.
The main Mind-body techniques are
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Meditation
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Relaxation
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy
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Guided Imagery (Involves use of mental images to induce relaxation)
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Biofeedback (Use of electronic devices to help people understand their bodily functional changes)
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Hypnosis
These mind body techniques are used in treatment of diseases like coronary artery disease, headaches, insomnia (sleeping difficulty) and incontinence (loss of urinary and bladder control).
Biologically Based Therapies
These therapies use chemicals in treatment of patients. However, these chemicals are not synthesized rather they are directly obtained from natural sources.
Biologically based therapies primarily use following medicines
Body Based Therapies
These therapies employ bodily manipulation techniques to treat various maladies and conditions. The principle techniques used are
- Chiropractic (Spinal manipulation techniques)
- Massage Therapy
- Rolfing (Structural integration focusing on proper body alignment)
- Reflexology (application of manual pressure to different feet area)
- Postural Reeducation (use of movement and touch to help people in relearning the healthy postures)
Energy Therapies
Energy therapies incorporate the manipulation of energy and magnetic fields present around the body (bio-fields). They also embody use of external energy sources such as electromagnetic fields for health and healing. The theory behind energy field therapies is existence of a universal life force that reside within and around every living being.
Energy healers or practitioners use the touch method to positively affect the energy field of a body.
The main types of energy therapies are as follows
- Bioelectromagnetic-based Therapies (Use of pulsed fields, magnetic fields or alternating-direct current fields, with especial use of magnets)
- Reiki (Japanese technique involving use of personal touch to promote healing)
- Therapeutic Touch
