The term alternative medicine or ‘using alternative healing methods’ means using any form of medicine that is not practiced by the majority of our doctors today.
It is not yet used in our mainstream, western medicine, although as technology is catching up, many forms of alternative healing methods are being adopted by many conventional doctors.
If you are looking for alternative healing methods; here are some for you to try. Many have been used for thousands of years by our ancestors.
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (Or TCM):
Incorporates a broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition more than 2,000 years old, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (Tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
It is primarily used as a complementary alternative medicine approach. TCM is widely used in China and it is also used in the West.
Traditional Chinese medicine “believes that the body’s vital energy (chi or qi) circulates through channels, called meridians, that have branches connected to bodily organs and functions. Our energy and physical body is connected.
Some of the things TCM is used for are; insomnia and fatigue, loss of appetite, common digestive disorders, constipation and diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, skin disorders, fluid retention, anxiety, depression and stress, allergies.
2. Cupping Therapy:
Is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which suction is created on the skin in a localised area. It applies suction to diseased parts of the body using ceramic glass or bamboo cups in order to increase the regional circulation and thereby promote healing.
Or you can buy rubber cups that you can use on yourself to relieve those muscle aches. (I use mine quite a bit while I am at my computer). In very ancient times the horns of animals were used for this purpose. This mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing.
Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps). The practice dates from as early as 3000 B.C. Evidence has been found in China and in ancient Greece, Hippocrates used cupping for internal disease and structural problems.
Some of the things cupping is used for are; relieve back and neck pain, relax stiff muscles, calm anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism.
3. Aromatherapy:
Is the use of essential oils used for therapeutic, hygienic and energetic purposes. It goes back to a number of ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Indians and Romans who used them in perfumes, cosmetics and drugs.
Using “essential oils” distilled from plants, aromatherapy treats emotional disorders such as stress, anxiety and depression as well as a wide range of other physical ailments.
Oils are massaged into the skin in diluted form, placed in a bath, or inhaled. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with other holistic treatments, such as, massage therapy, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic, acupuncture.
I love aromatherapy! (In fact it was the first modality I was ever trained in back in 1996).
Some of the things aromatherapy is used for are; burns, depression, dermatitis, nausea, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, PMS, depression, bites, toothache, insomnia.
4. Dance Therapy:
Has been used therapeutically for thousands of years. It has been used as a healing ritual in the influence of fertility, birth, sickness, and death, since earliest human history but, the establishment of dance as a therapy and as a profession occurred in the 1950’s.
Dance and/or movement therapy uses expressive movement as a therapeutic tool for both personal expression and psychological or emotional healing.
Dance/movement therapy is not like a dance class where you learn steps or routines, instead, it directly focuses on the development of motor skill or physical release for the client.
Some of the things dance therapy is used for are; autism, physical disabilities, addition issues, sexual abuse histories, eating disorders.
5. Feng Shui:
Is an ancient Chinese practice of arranging the home or work environment to promote health, happiness, and prosperity. The history of feng shui covers 3,500+ years before the invention of the magnetic compass.
It originated in Chinese astronomy. Practitioners may recommend changes in your surroundings – from the color scheme used in your environment to furniture placement – in order to promote a healthy flow of chi, or vital energy.
Some of the things feng shui is used for are; getting grounded, focusing attention, clearing emotional blocks, bringing on abundance, sleep, balance, breaking through creative blocks.
Sharon White
If you would like to learn more and work with me one on one I would love to work with you. I am passionate about people having a voice, being heard and creating the change you want in your life.
You can contact me at sharon@globalhealingexchange.com to see how I can help you. Sharon is the founder of Global Healing Exchange. You can work with her on her Emotional Freedom Program here.
