Essential Principles Regarding Alternative Healing Modalities

By Eliza Mendoza


Medicine is a field that has advanced greatly in the last few years. In spite of this progress, there are many traditional forms of treatment that have stood the test of time. Alternative healing modalities refer to any other method of curing disease other than medicine based on scientific proof. They constitute a number of therapies not supported by any degree programs or any known medical institution. Examples of these kinds of therapies include homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic and naturopathy.

Naturopathy claims that the body depends on a type of energy called vital energy for essential processes such as reproduction, digestion, respiration, growth, among others. The good thing about this practice is that it is holistic. It is non invasive and use of drugs is limited. This makes it a very safe option which can be practised almost anywhere.

Another treatment that is in common use is known as homeopathy. It has been in existence on the European continent for many years. Homeopathy paradoxically believes that a sick person can be healed using a substance that would cause the same symptoms in a normal person. This approach is commonly known as the law of minimum dose. It is however in conflict with the basic laws of chemistry and physics.

The body is linked to the mind by the fact that the former only responds to commands issued by the latter. Examples of mind body treatment include spirituality, yoga and relaxation. Sometimes the spirit is integrated into these two; meditation, directed imagery, yoga and hypnotherapy are such examples.

Yoga has to do with having quiet time, stretching and exercise with the aim of taking in life energy to do away with diseases. Practices based on religion such as prayer and laying hands depend on extraordinary powers to obtain healing. Studies have however shown that prayer in most cases is used as a complementary form of healing to evidence based medicine and is not always used as the sole treatment modality. Meditation comes in many forms, though none of them is certain. These may include tai chi, mindfulness meditation and mantra meditation.

Many studies have sought to establish the effectiveness of these therapies as compared to conventional therapies. Unfortunately, no concrete evidence exists to support the claims that have been put forward by the proponents of these modalities. The popularity of these treatments is most likely due to the long term existence in many parts of the world which has led to the rise of a strong belief among those who use them.

Ideally, tests are supposed to be done to ensure they are safe before being used on patients, just as it is done for scientific methods. This is because they are equally capable of causing side effects since they are also biologically active. However, according to those administering this kind of treatment no harm has been linked to anything natural. Homeopathy is free of undesired effects since it is under regulation by medical organisations.

Unwanted interactions may occur when alternative healing modalities are used alongside conventional drugs. Examples of therapies in which complementary treatment is used include shark cartilage, insulin potentiation, and oxygen and ozone therapies. Some herbal solutions when used together cancer drugs and radiation can cause lethal drug interactions.




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