Alternative medicine comprises a range of different approaches to a common principle – that the practice of healing need not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. Typically these are therapies with an historical or cultural basis rather than a strict scientific one; practices may incorporate traditional remedies, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs, or simply newly conceived approaches to healing.
The term ‘complementary’ medicine generally refers to the same interventions when used in conjunction with mainstream techniques.
In general the claims made by alternative medicine practitioners are generally not accepted by the mainstream medical community because evidence-based assessments are either not available or have not been done for these practices; but it is certainly the case that individual and anecdotal evidence can be adduced to support the value of many alternative therapies. Whether this is a placebo effect or the value of ‘faith’ in healing, the effectiveness of the treatment is not in doubt to the beneficiaries.
So before you commit yourself to a rendezvous with your reflexologist in hopes of showing your high- blood pressure the high road, a reality check might be in order. Although most alternative medicine practitioners are convinced enough evidence to support their theories exist, some would agree that it is more a case of mind over matter – but that this does not necessarily disprove their thesis.
Do results create faith or does faith create results? The debate continues...
Mind-body interventions
These interventions are based on the principle that the mind has the power to control bodily functions and responses. The best-known example is yoga, a discipline that originated in India over 5,000 years ago; it uses a combination of breathing exercises, stretches and meditation to heal mind and body. There are many variants and its popularity is continuous, not least because of the element of exercise.
Music therapy, on the other hand, uses facets of music (emotional, spiritual, aesthetic, mental) to maximise a person’s potential at self-healing and maintenance of good health.
Another popular intervention is Humour Therapy (also known as laughter therapy). It is based on findings that laughter is a stress reliever and gives a boost to the immune system, helping it fight off illnesses. Not surprisingly, positive people who laughed a lot were found to have fewer physical ailments than their more sombre counterparts.
Hypnotherapy has been used throughout history in rituals and religious ceremonies. A hypnotherapist uses techniques to alter his clients’ state of mind where the client, although unaware of the physical world around him, achieves a higher state of mental consciousness (called a trance) through which he can alter his body’s physiological responses to stimuli . This translates into healing.
Manipulative and body-based methods
This classification of alternative medicine manipulates certain body parts to achieve desired results. Acupressure, a 2,000-year-old Chinese treatment, is based on the principle that our body needs to have the perfect balance of yin and yan energies to function optimally. It uses the fingers, elbows and other devices to put pressure on certain points on the body’s surface to achieve harmony in the body for pain relief, respiratory disorders and circulatory problems.
Chiropractics walk the fine line between conventional and alternative medicine, although most medical professionals lean towards the latter classification. Chiropractic treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system by manipulation of the spine, muscles and tissues in conjunction with lifestyle counselling.
Reflexology uses fingers and thumbs to put pressure on the reflex points on the hands and feet to affect a positive physical change in the body.
Energy therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields that purportedly run through the body to cure ailments.
Bio-field therapies like Qi gong and Reiki manipulate these energy fields by using the hands to put pressure in or though them. The theory behind Qi gong is that, along with exercise and proper nutrition, we must use the life force or Chi that we are all born with to improve our nervous system, immune system and deal with stress effectively. Reiki, which originated in Japan, employs palm healing to balance this life force energy in our body. It is supposed to create a sense of well being by healing the mind, body and spirit.
Bio-electromagnetic-based therapies make use of permanent magnets around certain parts of the body to rehabilitate and increase vitality.
Holistic medicine
Most alternative therapies are more or less holistic, meaning that they are based on the idea that you should take care of your whole body and mind rather than just treating a part of the body that is ill. Some practices take this principle further than others, though.
Homeopathy, which originated in Germany in the 1700s uses trace amounts of naturally occurring substances (called remedies) which would cause symptoms similar to those of the disorder being treated if used in large amounts. Homeopathy is used to treat a wide range of physical and mental problems, from depression and fatigue to arthritis, childhood infections, and allergies.
Naturopathy on the other hand does not aim to treat the disease at all. It focuses on restoring and strengthening the immune system, and then leaves the body to eliminate the disease on its own. Acupuncture uses the same principles as acupressure; but instead of using the fingers to put pressure on points on the body’s surface, it makes use of needles. It aims to restore Chi or vital body energy through which vigour can be renewed and disorders overcome.
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian tradition that considers diseases as manifestations of imbalances in the body. These imbalances that Ayurvedic practitioners detect through pulse reading are treated by a comprehensive approach consisting of meditation, natural medication, massages and nutrition counselling.
Q&A on chiropractic
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic advocates a natural method of healing; it is a non-surgical, non-invasive and drugless approach to the treatment to patients. Structural or mechanical abnormalities of the spine can cause pain, dysfunction and loss mobility. These symptoms can be successfully treated by the Doctor Of Chiropractic; a great emphasis is placed on spinal health, since it is the key to overall health and wellbeing.
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
Most people know chiropractic’s excellent reputation in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, with low back pain being the predominant complaint, disc, poor posture; scoliosis, muscle spasm and sport related injuries are successfully managed as well. These conditions are mirrors of injuries, stresses, nutritional deficiencies and discretions imposed upon the body and are the results of accidents, unexpected falls or simple twisting and turning.
What are the methods of treatment?
Treatment depends on the cause and stage of the problem. The procedure utilised is known as vertebral adjusting or spinal manipulation; it is a technique in which the doctor of chiropractic skilfully manipulates spinal vertebrae or joints to enhance better function, reduce pain, relieve tension and improve mobility. In addition to joint manipulation patients receive instructions in exercise rehabilitation, nutritional counselling and advice that may improve their overall health.
What about safety and effectiveness?
Doctors of Chiropractic carry out spinal manipulation in a sophisticated and refined manner; they are trained to deliver a safe and effective treatment, and to recognize any contraindications to such treatments. Should it found that the patient is not responding as expected, a referral to an appropriate health care provider will be made.
