The popularity of alternative medicine has grown significantly over the course of the last two decades. With the integration of traditional methods and modern medical practices, doctors and patients are finding new ways to address common health concerns. And with more people being exposed to alternative medicines via the internet, interest has grown and people are using it every day.
Alternative medicine science includes a variety of disciplines like yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and herbalism. Though these practices have found anecdotal evidence throughout history, they have often been rejected in modern medical practice. But new research is challenging the conventional views of Western medicine.
The promotion of these methods is often backed by trials that adhere strictly to the scientific method, further strengthening their credibility. As we delve into this intriguing world of alternative healing, one cannot overlook its historical roots and the fascinating interplay between tradition and science in its evolution.
Complementary vs Alternative Therapies
While these therapies are often grouped together under the CAM umbrella term, it’s crucial to distinguish between complementary therapies and alternative therapies. Complementary therapies will “complement” modern therapies and are used in conjunction with them. This form of medicine may also be referred to as integrated medicine. On the other hand, when we refer to “alternative therapies” or “alternative medicine,” it means they are being used instead of conventional medicine
A person suffering from pain, for example, may use acupuncture or Yoga practices in combination with their prescribed medication to manage pain sensitivity.
Someone who takes special diets or herbs for chronic pain treatment exclusively is employing an alternative therapy approach.
Biologically-Based Practices
Biologically-based complementary medicine refers to products and practices that are naturally sourced and used alongside or in addition to conventional medical treatments.
These approaches often emphasize the use of substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, vitamins, and other dietary supplements. The term “complementary” indicates that these practices are typically used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments, as opposed to “alternative” treatments that might be used in place of conventional medicine.
Some examples include:
- Herbal Remedies: The use of plants or plant extracts to treat various ailments. Examples include ginkgo biloba for memory enhancement, echinacea to boost the immune system, CBD to relieve stress, or St. John’s wort for mild to moderate depression.
- Dietary Supplements: Substances taken in addition to the usual diet to improve health. This might include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or enzymes. For instance, some people might take fish oil for its omega-3 fatty acids, which have been associated with cardiovascular health.
- Probiotics: These are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for your digestive system. They’re often referred to as “good” or “friendly” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.
- Functional Foods: These are foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition. Examples include foods like blueberries (which are rich in antioxidants) or oats (which contain soluble fiber beneficial for heart health).
In some cases, conventional treatments and alternative therapies overlap. For example, hemp extracts like cannabidiol are often used for addressing pain or stress. Some doctors may choose a prescription medication like Epidiolex, an FDA approved medication containing this powerful plant cannabinoid. Simultaneously, an alternative medical practitioner may suggest CBD, which is a non-FDA approved cannabidiol extract, offering similar benefits. While debates such as the one between Epidiolex and CBD continue to rage, the decision for how a person is to be treated ultimately comes down to the patient.
Aromatherapy’s Therapeutic Use
Aromatherapy is another biologically-based practice used in CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). It involves the use of essential oils extracted from plants for therapeutic purposes.
- Lavender oil is known for its calming effect.
- Peppermint oil may alleviate headaches.
- Eucalyptus oil could help clear congested airways.
Aromatherapy provides a natural way to manage various ailments but should be used cautiously due to possible allergic reactions or skin irritation.
Yoga for Mental Well-being
Yoga, a popular body technique used by CAM therapy practitioners. It is recognized for its mental health benefits and for address numerous other ailments.
Yoga is a holistic practice that combines physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles. Originating in ancient India, yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and has evolved in various forms. In the modern world, yoga has been recognized for its potential physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Here’s how yoga can help:
- Strength: Many yoga postures require the use of body weight for resistance, helping to build and tone muscles.
- Improved Respiratory Function: Breathing exercises in yoga can strengthen respiratory muscles and improve lung capacity.
- Stress Reduction: The combined practice of physical postures, deep breathing, and meditation can help in reducing stress and inducing relaxation.
- Mood Enhancement: Yoga can elevate mood, possibly by increasing the release of “feel-good” hormones like serotonin.
- Anxiety Reduction: Breathing exercises and meditation can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a calmer state of mind.
- Chronic Pain Management: Yoga can help alleviate certain types of chronic pain, such as lower back pain or arthritis.
Hypnotherapy for Stress Management
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique in which a trained therapist, called a hypnotherapist, uses the process of hypnosis to help an individual achieve a state of deep relaxation and heightened focus or concentration. This state is often referred to as a trance. While in this state, the individual may be more open to suggestion and may be able to access thoughts, memories, and emotions that are usually hidden or suppressed in their conscious minds.
The primary purpose of hypnotherapy is to bring about desired changes in behavior, feelings, and thoughts. It has been employed for various purposes, and clinical research shows it can help with a variety of health issues, including:
- Pain management
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Phobia treatment
- Sleep disorders
- Weight loss
Biofeedback Techniques for Pain Control
Biofeedback techniques are innovative body therapies used in CAM therapies to control pain effectively. These techniques involve training patients to control physiological processes such as heart rate or muscle tension that are usually involuntary.
Research shows that biofeedback can help manage various types of pain including migraines and chronic back pain. For instance, a study revealed that patients suffering from migraines experienced fewer headaches after undergoing biofeedback therapy sessions.
Mindfulness Meditation’s Impact on Anxiety Reduction
Mindfulness meditation is a mental practice that involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment in a non-judgmental manner. Originating from Buddhist traditions, mindfulness meditation has been adopted and adapted in various forms in many cultures around the world. In recent decades, it has gained significant attention in the West for its potential benefits for mental health, well-being, and cognitive functions.
Science Meets History
Humans have relied on natural therapies for thousands of years, well before the advent of modern medicine. The “scientists” who lived during the time of our ancestors practiced many of these healing strategies with great benefit to their patients.
Today, with widespread modern research, clinical studies have proven time and again that alternative therapies like biologically-based CAM, meditation, yoga, and aromatherapy really do work to alleviate many common health concerns and symptoms