Alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular as people look for more ways to maintain good health. Here are 5 examples of alternative medicine that are used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic health problems.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting thin, sterile needles into acupuncture points called anatomic sites to restore the body’s natural flow of qi (vital energy). Underlying this practice is the idea that hindering or obstructing the free flow of qi leads to illness and pain. Following the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture takes a holistic approach to health that focuses on maintaining balance and harmony in the body. Acupuncture is helpful for alleviating pain and regulating hormonal imbalances, improving the body’s ability to heal and function normally. Acupuncture is often combined with Western medicine and other alternative treatments to maximise effectiveness.
Cupping
Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicinal technique that involves placing special cups onto the patient’s skin to create a gentle suction. This causes their skin, muscles, and underlying tissues to be pulled upwards, drawing stagnant, non-circulating blood and toxins towards the surface. Cupping increases blood flow, encouraging oxygen in local tissue and facilitating a faster recovery. It restores mobility by relieving muscle tension and relaxing pinched nerves. For this reason, cupping is used by many professional athletes to boost their performance. Cupping is often complemented with acupuncture, as the gentle suction of the cups helps clear blockages of qi and restore balance to the body.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the practice of burning dried mugwort or moxa close to the body. This herb has a soft, spongy consistency and is usually compressed into a cigar-sized stick that can be lit and smouldered. Moxa sticks are held about one or two inches above the skin to apply heat to certain acupuncture points. Patients experience an intense, radiating warmth that penetrates the skin and travels through the meridians, facilitating smooth circulation of blood and qi while boosting the immune system. Moxibustion is most effective in treating chronic problems such as menstrual cramps, fatigue, and indigestion.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine enjoys a long history of success with its holistic understanding of health and illness. Drawing on the concepts of Yin and Yang, it aims to restore harmony and balance of energies in the body, as it hinders the free flow of qi and undermines overall health. Chinese herbal medicine is prepared to treat both the symptoms and underlying cause for imbalance in the body. Prescriptions are tailored to the patient’s condition, as the cause of disharmony is different for each person. As they slowly recover, the herbal medicine formula is modified to suit their changing needs until they reach optimal health. Along with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is considered one of the top 5 examples of alternative medicine that is widely practiced in many cultures today.
Tui Na
Tui Na is a form of massage therapy that addresses specific patterns of disharmony in the body. It makes use of acupressure, which involves stimulating acupuncture points with fingers rather than needles, and other hand techniques to establish a smooth, harmonious flow of qi. Tui Na can relieve a variety of ailments, and can be used to complement acupuncture or moxibustion.
What makes these 5 examples of alternative medicine so effective is their emphasis on treating the whole body rather than treating the symptoms or specific parts of the part.
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