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Holistic Medicine
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Overview
Holistic medicine is the art and science of
healing that addresses care of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. The
practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary
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Overview
therapies to promote optimal health, and prevent and treat disease by
addressing contributing factors. Holistic healthcare practitioners strive to
meet the patient with grace, kindness, acceptance, and spirit without
condition, as love is life’s most powerful healer.
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Overview
In practice, this means that each person is seen as a unique individual, rather
than an example of a particular disease. Disease is understood to be the result
of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing,
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Overview
therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into
proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role
model; the patient must do the work - changing lifestyle, beliefs and old
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Overview
habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used,
from medication to meditation.
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10. Homeopathy
Homeopathy, also known as homeopathic
medicine, is an alternative medical system that was developed in Germany more
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than 200 years ago. This fact sheet provides a general overview of homeopathy
and suggests sources for additional information.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
9: Hypnosis
Hypnosis (also called hypnotherapy) has
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been studied for a number of conditions, including state anxiety (e.g., before
medical procedures or surgeries), headaches, smoking cessation, pain control,
hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, and irritable bowel syndrome.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
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8. Yoga
Yoga is a mind and body practice in
complementary medicine with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various
styles of yoga that people use for health purposes typically combine physical
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postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. There are
numerous schools of yoga. Hatha yoga, the most commonly practiced in the United
States and Europe, emphasizes postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama).
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Some of the major styles of hatha yoga include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vini,
Kundalini, and Bikram yoga. People use yoga for a variety of conditions and to
achieve fitness and relaxation.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
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7. Guided imagery
Guided Imagery is a relaxation technique
where thoughts are purposely "re-directed by visualization to create
positive images in the mind to help with stress, relaxation, sleep, health and
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more.
http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/
6. Ayurvedic
Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda)
is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has
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evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine
is considered a CAM whole medical system. Many
therapies used in Ayurvedic medicine are also used on their own as CAM—for
example, herbs, massage, and specialized diets.
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http://nccam.nih.gov/
5. Massage
Massage therapy encompasses many different
techniques. In general, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the
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muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and
fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
4. Meditation
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Meditation is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient
religious and spiritual traditions. Generally, a person who is meditating uses
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certain techniques, such as a specific posture, focused attention, and an open
attitude toward distractions. Meditation may be practiced for many reasons,
such as to increase calmness and physical relaxation, to improve psychological
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balance, to cope with illness, or to enhance overall health and well-being.
This Backgrounder provides a general introduction to meditation and suggests
some resources for more information.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
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3. Spinal manipulation
Low-back pain (often referred to as
"lower back pain") is a common condition that usually improves with
self-care (practices that people can do by themselves, such as remaining
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active, applying heat, and taking pain-relieving medications). However, it is
occasionally difficult to treat. Some health care professionals are trained to
use a technique called spinal manipulation to
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relieve low-back pain and improve physical function (the ability to walk and
move). This fact sheet provides basic information about low-back pain,
summarizes research on spinal manipulation for low-back pain, and suggests
sources for additional information.
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http://nccam.nih.gov/
2. Herbal medicine
An herb is a plant or plant part used for
its scent, flavor or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that
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people take to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time
for claimed health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas,
extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems,
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some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbalmedicine.html
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting
thin needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being. It
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originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. American practices of
acupuncture use medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea and other
countries. In the United States, the best-known type involves putting
hair-thin, metallic needles in your skin.
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Research has shown that acupuncture reduces
nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy. It can also relieve pain.
Researchers don't fully understand how acupuncture works. It might aid the
activity of your body's pain-killing chemicals. It also might affect how you
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release chemicals that regulate blood pressure and flow.
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