There are a few terms used nowadays like alternative medicine, complementary therapies, natural health care, holistic practices, and integrative medicine which describe a wide array of ways to treat the illness that fall outside purely surgical, medicinal, pharmaceutical treatments like meditation, acupuncture and massage.
The use and acceptance of these therapies are growing rapidly. Yoga, meditation, chanting, as well as many other treatments fall under complementary and alternative medicines. It is a holistic approach where the focus is on the attempt to treat individual not the symptoms.
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine that includes nonstandard treatment or medicine. Example : Kava
Complementary Medicine
It is also a nonstandard treatment or medicine used together with a conventional medicine for example Acupuncture.
Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicines
● Ayurveda - Ayurvedic medicine was originated in India and practiced by thousands of years. With the intent of balancing the body, mind and spirit to promote overall wellness by using healthy diet, proper hydration, relaxing techniques and meditation for a peaceful mind to address health conditions.
● Aromatherapy - Use of essential oils derived from plants from to promote healing. They are used to treat inflammation, infections, promote relaxation, might also reduce pain, depression, anxiety, emotional disorders. The oils are inhaled or used in massage therapy, can be added to baths and body compresses. High dose of these essential oils are believed to have an impact on brain and neurological systems giving positive energy.
● Massage Therapy - Massage therapy works on the body by healing power of touch to relieve stress and treat illness. A trained therapist manipulates the muscles and soft tissues by pressing, pushing, pulling and rubbing the affected area.
● Naturopathy - It is a non-invasive treatment including various other techniques including nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupressure. It commences on the healing power of nature and seek to understand the cause of illness by exploring its spiritual, mental and physical symptoms.
● Meditation - Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years to alleviate suffering and promote healing. It lowers blood pressure, improves cognition memory, emotional and social behaviour. It is often prescribed to cancer patients.
● Reiki - Reiki is a healing therapy which involves touch, form of energy healing based on ‘life force energy’. Energy blockages are released along with specific meridian points in the body by the use of hands. The ulterior motive is to promote healing, reduce pain and improve overall well-being.
● Chiropractic - This practice focuses on disorders of musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The most common method performed by practitioners is spinal manipulation which involves practicing control force to joints that have become ’hypermobile’. With chiropractic movements, the affected area are intended to improve mobility and loosen muscles to heal and pain to resolve.
The purpose of action of Complementary and Alternative medicines is to benefit optimal health and wellness through non-traditional therapies and techniques.
India is a Better Wellness Center for Holistic Treatments
India stands proud of Yoga and Ayurveda, as roots of this ancient practice have been imbibed here with its basic values to complete balance of mind, body and soul. India holds the best retreats for holistic healing like yoga, stress management and detoxification. World-class cities have found this treatment as a new trend for elites as it is tremendously gaining popularity, holistic treatments in India have various therapies with economical rates. States like Goa, Kerala and Karnataka have the most number of wellness centers with affordable holistic treatment cost in India.
