The World Of Alternative Medicine
- Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 0:28
- Health Care
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Alternative healing practices are those which clash in philosophy or methodology with accepted knowledge about health and disease or are unproven. They are also known as unconventional medicinal approaches to health care. Some common practices falling under the category of alternative medicine are chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy and ayurvedic medicine.
Branches of Alternative medicine:
Chiropractic: This is a branch of Alternative medicine that is based on the teachings of Daniel David Palmer who advocated that the main cause of disease is misplaced spinal bones. Chiropractic focuses on the fact that the body is capable of healing on its own if the vertebrae are restored to their appropriate places through spinal treatment.
There is no scientific evidence to justify this belief. Some chiropractors follow this theory completely while others believe that germs, hormones and other factors also play an important role in the development of disease. Most individuals consult chiropractors for backaches and other musculoskeletal problems.
Acupuncture: Evolving in ancient China, this technique involves the insertion of needles into the skin or muscles at one or more acupuncture points that represent various internal organs.
As per Chinese belief good health is attributed to a balance between the energy modes- Yin and Yang. Acupuncture is thought to bring about this balance and restore the normal functioning of the internal organs.
Homeopathy: The term homeopathy has been derived from the Greek words homeo meaning similar and pathos meaning disease. This branch of Alternative medicine is based on the theories of Samuel Hahnemann a German physician who advocated that the symptoms of disease can be cured by substances that produce similar symptoms in healthy people.
Homeopathic remedies are derived from plant products, minerals and other substances diluted to an extreme degree. Homeopathic medicines are recognized as drugs by the 1938 amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Naturopathy: This branch of Alternative medicine is based on the idea that disease is caused by violation of nature’s laws. Any disease is the body’s effort to purify itself and cures are based on the patient’s vital force that helps the body get rid of toxins. Remedies include natural food diets, vitamins, herbs and massage therapy.
Ayurvedic medicine: This branch of Alternative medicine is based on traditional Indian approach that includes meditation, purification procedures, rejuvenation therapies, herbal and mineral preparations, exercises and dietary advice.
Ayurveda lays stress on the belief that disease is caused by underlying imbalances in the principles that regulate body functions. They only way of curing the body is by restoring balance.
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Thank for this post.