CLOSE UP ON ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The gentle approach
 Ann
Harriman outlines the principles behind some of the most popular natural medicines.
Many people are turning away from orthodox medicine,
concerned that it deals only with the chemical and structural components of
the body and ignores the underlying causes of disease. A further worry is that
animals are used in cruel experiments to test all drugs and that the results
cannot be applied to people with any degree of confidence.
Alternative or complementary medicine provides a more gentle approach, recognising
that illness may manifest itself as a collection of symptoms, and that many
serious health problems originate from emotional, spiritual or psychological
causes.
All natural therapies emphasise unity of body and mind, so alternative practitioners
examine a patient's whole life before prescribing the appropriate remedy
or treatment. In the rather poetic words of Parcelsus - a 16th century philosopher
and physician - 'those who merely study and treat the effects of disease
are like those who imagine that they can drive away the winter by brushing the
snow from the door. It is not the snow that causes winter, but the winter that
causes the snow'.
Some of the most popular complementary methods are as follows:
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the general principle that 'like cures like'. The word
is derived from the Greek for 'similar suffering'. Patients are given very small
diluted doses of a medicine that in higher concentrations would make them ill.
The idea is that the dose will stimulate the body's natural mechanism of healing
and balance.
A constitutional remedy is prescribed, appropriate for each individual patient.
This is based on the homeopath's detailed assessment of the patient's character
and background. The idea is to get to the root of unresolved sorrows and frustrations
in the belief that these can cause a bodily imbalance that will eventually manifest
itself as physical illness. (Some homeopathic remedies are made from animal
ingredients.)
Acupuncture
The ancient science of acupuncture teaches that 'meridians', which run throughout
the body, circulate energy or vitality flows, known as chi. These energy flows
are essential for health and well-being. Therefore, when chi become blocked,
sickness, disease and other health problems can occur. Treatment aims to free
the block.
Any imbalance in Yin and Yang (forms of energy) is diagnosed by studying the
patients' pulses. Practitioners have a very thorough knowledge of the control
points of meridians and treatment is given by painlessly stimulating the appropriate
points through the process of inserting very fine needles; or else by massage
(acupressure).
Herbal medicine
Herbs and other plants have been used in healing since earliest times. Herbal
remedies are prepared to retain the energy, the life-force and the 'vibrations'
of the plant itself. This is supposed to increase and direct the patient's own
energy.
Although at least half of the drugs in modern Western medicine were first derived
from plants, they are not prescribed in their natural form, but prepared instead
by technical processes such as sterilisation and chemical synthesis. Herbal
practitioners believe that this method destroys the life-force and energy of
the original plant.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a treatment which uses essential oils extracted from flowers,
leaves, fruit, tree bark, roots and wood. There are nearly 300 oils, all with
different properties.
Essential aromatic oils are both detoxifying and antiseptic, and help to strengthen
the immune system and regulate metabolism. Each oil has its own individual scent
and healing potential. It is claimed that a soothing massage with the right
oils can bring amazing benefits.
Alexander Technique
This is considered particularly helpful for those wishing to improve their
posture and acquire 'good use of body'. It corrects bad habits which can easily
affect the way we walk, sit, move and breathe.
Inappropriate movement or posture can put the body out of alignment, leading
to back, nerve and muscle pain, tension and other long term problems. These
can become chronic if neglected.
The guiding principle of the Alexander Technique is 'conscious control' - learning
how to replace harmful behaviour and reactions (mental as well as physical)
with more appropriate responses.
Reflexology
Reflexology stimulates the body's healing power and electrical
impulses through pressure points on the soles of the feet and hands.
When pressure is applied, pain or discomfort in a specific area
will alert the practitioner to a possible blockage in the body.
Massage and pressure are then applied to disperse the 'crystals',
which are diagnosed as the cause of the blockage.
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