holistic medicine

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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.