Alternative Medicine - The Other Selection

By Richard Ealom

Alternative medicine is a broad phrase that describes a number of kinds of treatment, cures and relief that are derived from sources other than conventional medicine. The therapies, medical approaches and philosophies that are encompassed in the phrase alternative medicine are too numerous to be adequately discussed here.

There are some kinds of alternative medicine which are more extensively used and well publicized than others. These more popular types of alternative medicine have been received by a lot of people and is widely practiced.

Acupuncture

This kind of alternative medicine is a kind of therapy which is practiced with the use of unique needles. These specially designed needles are thin and long which make it easier to introduce them into the human body. The filiform needles are inserted into specific points in the human body which are designated for pain relief or therapy.

This type of alternative medicine therapy originated in China. The Chinese developed a system of meridians from which energy is said to flow. Tapping into these meridians with the use of the acupuncture needles will assist to relieve various conditions and ailments that a person may be experiencing as well as help to relax and even lower weight.

There are so many different studies about acupuncture since this is one of the more accepted types of alternative medicine but the results are mostly open to doubt. There are a few health organizations that do acknowledge the helpful effects of acupuncture but established medicine does not.

Many established medical practitioners claim that while acupuncture may not be useful there is nothing to lose if the patient would really love to experiment with it. The employment of clean and sterile needles in addition to the application of the said practice by responsible and well taught specialist is a must for this type of alternative medicine. Whether it has a placebo effect of real effect on people may depend largely on how amenable the person may be to it.

Chiropractic

This kind of alternative medicine involves the treatment of disorders and other conditions through the application of pressure on the musculoskeletal system. In basic terms, the body, through realignment of the bones and pressure on the muscles is meant to regain its balance and be relieved or cured from some conditions and disorders. This alternative medicine kind of therapy uses the manipulation of the patients joints, spine and other soft tissues to encompass the general application of manual therapy. The manipulation and manual therapy is mostly done by the chiropractor but he can also assign a sequence of movements and related therapies which the patient can do on his own at home.

This alternative medicine therapy was founded in the late 1800s. The practice enjoys much recognition in large areas of the USA as well as some regions of Asia. Chiropractic medicine is found to be of value in treating back pain and other maladies related to the joints and bones. This form of alternative medicine therapy is recognized by many established medicine doctors as treatment for back pain but in general it is still deemed as therapy and not actually medicine or cure. There is some disagreement regarding the safety of the practice since there are some phony chiropractors who have "accidents"

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a type of relief or treatment which includes several forms of alternative medicine therapies and treatments. The notion of naturopathy is that the body can mend itself without the need of established medicine through the assorted kinds of natural medicine. The use of established Chinese medicine, acupuncture, reflexology, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutrition and even the practice of good hygiene are said to be included in naturopathy. lots of people believe in this ideal and try to heal or treat themselves through the employment of natural types of alternative medicine. - 30540

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