A Look at Some Alternative
Healing Methods

chillibreeze writer — Shivendra Shashi Kapoor

Introduction

‘Life is the longest journey, you have to live so many days to complete it.’ Who doesn’t desire life to be relaxing and free from diseases? But there are an exceptional few who have a bon voyage, while the rest have loads of pain inflicted.

Ill health triggers sentient beings to search for an immediate healing mechanism and we ravenously gulp allopathic medicines down our screaming throats. Research shows that near-daily use of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers is associated with chronic headaches (especially chronic migraines), and to some extent, with other problems related to neck and back pain. These patented solutions may be doing no good in the long run and then our search for alternative healing begins.

In this article we attempt to describe some of these complementary healing techniques. No doubt such alternatives are practical, useful, relaxing and have a feel good factor, but it ultimately depends on how we adapt them to our lavish lifestyles. After understanding the benefits of holistic healing, all of us pill-poppers will have a new positive approach to kill pain.

Types of Healing

Alternative healing, sometimes called as Complementary or Holistic Healing techniques are of different types, such as Acupuncture, Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic Medicine, Herbal Medicines (Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, Rocky Mountain etc.), Bodywork & Movement Healing Therapies (Alexander technique, Massage therapy, Reflexology, Rolfing technique, Radix therapy, Integrated Energy Therapy, Polarity therapy, Pranic Healing, Feldenkrais technique, Trauma Release Therapy, etc.), Chiropractic technique, Detoxification Therapies (Colon therapy, Fasting, Saunas), Holographic Re-patterning, Reiki, Yoga, Meditation, Death/ Grief support method, Color therapy, Music therapy, Art of living and others galore. In fact, you will discover that almost all these techniques speak of the body’s ability to heal itself and lay very strong emphasis on a healthy lifestyle which people today lack in every aspect.
Much has been said about Yoga, Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Art of living, etc., so let’s detail out some of the less heard-of techniques.

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

TCM recognizes the effects of disruptive energy flow in the body, which often comes out in various emotional and physical forms. Some energetic methods in TCM include: emotional stress release, meditation and breathing exercises. Specific botanical (herbal) medicines are connected with certain energy patterns and emotions and they are chosen according to these principles.

Example 1: A good and widespread application of Chinese medicine is in celebrating the birth of young babies, rather, boosting conception! Yes, in females it can help regulate hormones, improve the function of ovaries to produce higher quality eggs and target increased blood flow to the uterus. In males, it can improve the sperm count, motility and morphology and reduce the sperm’s DNA fragmentation. All these factors play a crucial role in fertility.

Example 2: TCM is believed to be effective in improving the symptoms of Diabetes, particularly type II. This is done by decreasing the blood sugar levels and delaying complications with fewer side effects as compared to Western medicine. Chinese medicine treats diabetes by balancing Yin (female) and Yang (male), and by regulating the functions of all organs and systems to aid proper functioning of the pancreas.

Nowadays, TCM is attracting more attention as it uses herbs, acupuncture and massage therapy to treat diabetes and complications like dermatopathy, ketosis etc. Many-a-times doctors use this holistic healing method in conjunction with Western medicine to treat severe complications resulting from diseases.

2. Chiropractic Technique:

Chiropractic comes from the Greek word ‘Chiropraktikos’, meaning ‘effective treatment’ by hand. The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes chiropractic different from other procedures. It is based upon the logic that good health depends upon a normally functioning nervous system, especially the spine, and the nerves that extend from the spine to all parts of the body. Great emphasis is laid on the fact that the cause of many diseases is within the body and it manifests because of the body’s inability to adapt to its environment.

Accidents, fall from heights, stress, overwork, and many other factors can result in a problem of the spinal column, causing damage to spinal nerve roots. Chiropractic teaches that reducing or eliminating this damage to spinal nerves can cause your body to operate more comfortably.

Chiropractic philosophy targets a total healing approach that combines elements of the mind, body and spirit. Hence, Chiropractors say no to drugs and chemicals, but heal by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body, which is functioning improperly. This healing system increases flexibility and balance in the body by focusing on a patient’s recuperative abilities rather than on surgery and thus tries to eliminate the cause of the illness rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Nowadays, Chiropractors, medical doctors, and other health care professionals work as partners in occupational health, sports medicine, and a wide variety of other rehabilitation practices to treat complex matters. This regimen is ideal for anyone who desires both a mentally and physically focused workout.

3. Alexander Technique:

This intelligent method describes how dynamic and adaptable the human body is. By using this technique we can achieve optimal health for both body and mind. With this, you can learn to restore your original poise, strip away harmful habits and get your spontaneity and ease much similar to what you had when you were a toddler! In short, you are learning something that your body already knows, but is hidden. 

Here, the head - spine relationship determines the quality of the body's overall performance. Our neuromuscular system is designed to work in relation with gravity. Many people get irritated by their back pain, stress or lack of body coordination in their joints or muscles and blame it on ‘activities’ that they perform, without understanding that their way of doing things gives their body a unhealthy look. 

A majority of the cases prove that it is how we do something that creates the problem, not the activity itself. The healing teacher analyzes a patient’s whole body movement pattern & alerts him/her on the wrong way of sitting, standing and walking, thus giving the treatment a more integrated approach. 

Final Thoughts

Having the ability to heal is a wonderful talent of nature and it is true as ‘healing comes from the heart’. No matter how you look at it, the essence of healing involves a spiritual touch and an unselfish love towards humanity. Healers remove blockages from the damaged and depleted areas of the body, convert, remove or replace negative energies with positive ones and thus replenish the body as a whole.

Happy Healing!

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

 

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

---

—About our writer: Shivendra says, "Being a Sagittarian by birth and an Automation Engineer by profession, I have ocean deep interest in Writing, Advertising, Traveling, Astrology, Palmistry, Occult & Paranormal world and above all in helping others to get rid of their sufferings."

 

 

 

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:

1. Articles related to Content and Outsourcing
2. NRI and Expat Articles
3. Potpourri
4. Travel Writing
5. Book Reviews and Interviews

More resources for Writers on Chillibreeze.com Chillibreeze offers Indian writers the opportunity to work on customer projects. We are also India’s biggest writer network and a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. The writers’ section on Chillibreeze offers freelance writers and editors a variety of tools to advance their careers. Resources for writers include: Assessment of your writing, editing and proofreading skills Writing courses Expert Feedback on your article An opportunity to promote yourself on our website Top websites for Indian writers Tips and resources for Indian freelancers Book Publishing services And more……………….. Explore our writers’ section using the links on our left-hand side menu.