Types of Alternative Treatment
Alternative medicines are prevalent throughout the world and are growing in use in the UK.
Sometimes new types are founded on an idea of how the body works, and treatment is then provided.
Most herbal remedies were created and developed before modern medicine arrived.
The use of alternative treatments may be beneficial alongside conventional medicine but shouldn't be considered a replacement.
The following article details some of the most widely used treatments and remedies available today.
Traditional Chinese Medicines include a number of treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, supplements and specific diets.
The system is predicated on the philosophy that good health is based on the flow of 'chi' and balance (denoted by the now ubiquitous yin and yang symbols).
According to this school of thought, a disease is caused by an imbalance of these factors, and natural ingridents and acupuncture are provided to restore this balance.
Acupuncture is particularly popular at the moment, and it basically consists of stimulating specific points of the body with various techniques, commonly metal needles.
Acupuncture is currently practiced to treat a variety of diseases, and anecdotal evidence suggests it can provide relief to people suffering from headaches, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, back and muscle pain.
Ayurveda: a collection of treatments originating in India.
These treatments include yoga, massage, herbal remedies and detox style diets.
It is based on the theory that the human body is made up of three elements or Doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
This premise is similar to the 'humours' theory as advocated by Hippocrates, which dominated European until the 19th Century and started the advent of conventional medicine.
According to Ayurveda, these three elements are responsible for the basic characteristics of a person.
The proportion of these elements depends on the individual.
An imbalance in these proportions is reputed to be the reason for illness and disease.
Yoga can be an effective form of meditation, whilst other areas of Ayurveda are intended to treat individuals with digestion problems, stress and fatigue, joint disorders etc.
Modern naturopathy began in Germany in the 20th century and is focused on two central ideas - the natural healing power of the body and changing one's lifestyle to improve health.
Treatments include hydrotherapy and cures found in nature, for example using naturally occurring minerals, elements, food and herbal remedies.
Homeopathy is currently hugely successful in the UK, and is based on the principle of treating someone using tiny doses of a substance, to produce the symptoms of a disease similar to the one experienced by the patient, the idea being that the body reacts against this substance and provides a natural resistance against the actual disease.
Like naturopathy, homeopathy originated in Germany, and purports to cure a wide range of ailments.
Sometimes new types are founded on an idea of how the body works, and treatment is then provided.
Most herbal remedies were created and developed before modern medicine arrived.
The use of alternative treatments may be beneficial alongside conventional medicine but shouldn't be considered a replacement.
The following article details some of the most widely used treatments and remedies available today.
Traditional Chinese Medicines include a number of treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, supplements and specific diets.
The system is predicated on the philosophy that good health is based on the flow of 'chi' and balance (denoted by the now ubiquitous yin and yang symbols).
According to this school of thought, a disease is caused by an imbalance of these factors, and natural ingridents and acupuncture are provided to restore this balance.
Acupuncture is particularly popular at the moment, and it basically consists of stimulating specific points of the body with various techniques, commonly metal needles.
Acupuncture is currently practiced to treat a variety of diseases, and anecdotal evidence suggests it can provide relief to people suffering from headaches, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, back and muscle pain.
Ayurveda: a collection of treatments originating in India.
These treatments include yoga, massage, herbal remedies and detox style diets.
It is based on the theory that the human body is made up of three elements or Doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
This premise is similar to the 'humours' theory as advocated by Hippocrates, which dominated European until the 19th Century and started the advent of conventional medicine.
According to Ayurveda, these three elements are responsible for the basic characteristics of a person.
The proportion of these elements depends on the individual.
An imbalance in these proportions is reputed to be the reason for illness and disease.
Yoga can be an effective form of meditation, whilst other areas of Ayurveda are intended to treat individuals with digestion problems, stress and fatigue, joint disorders etc.
Modern naturopathy began in Germany in the 20th century and is focused on two central ideas - the natural healing power of the body and changing one's lifestyle to improve health.
Treatments include hydrotherapy and cures found in nature, for example using naturally occurring minerals, elements, food and herbal remedies.
Homeopathy is currently hugely successful in the UK, and is based on the principle of treating someone using tiny doses of a substance, to produce the symptoms of a disease similar to the one experienced by the patient, the idea being that the body reacts against this substance and provides a natural resistance against the actual disease.
Like naturopathy, homeopathy originated in Germany, and purports to cure a wide range of ailments.
