Complementary Therapies ·
This is just a brief description of some complementary therapies. Many exist and it’s important to find out which are suitable for you and your health needs, living with HIV.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of a variety of treatments used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fine, small needles are inserted into various parts of the body to help improve the flow of energy in the body. The needles are so fine that little discomfort is felt. It can help with side-effects, fatigue, pain and stress. See also Traditional Chinese Medicine below.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plant materials. They interact with both the mind and emotions and the body. They are concentrated and, if applied on the body through massage or a bath, they need diluting with other oils. Alternatively, they can be just inhaled. Some oils are hazardous and you should always seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist.
Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies are a simple, safe and natural method of treating negative emotional states using the essences of plants and flowers.
Chiropractice and osteopathy
Chiropractice and osteopathy both specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body, particularly those of the spine.
Treatment consists of a wide range of manipulative techniques designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy attempts to treat the sick with extremely diluted agents that, in undiluted doses, produce similar symptoms in the healthy.
Hypnotherapy
Not to be confused with stage hypnotism, hypnotherapy induces a relaxed and suggestible state in the person, so that positive behaviours and intentions (eg, giving up smoking, positive thinking) are communicated directly to the subconscious.
Meditation
Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to the mind itself.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, if circumstances are right. Illness is said to result when the individual’s ‘vital force’ or ‘inner vitality’ weakens, allowing viruses, bacteria and allergens to get through the body’s defences.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a treatment based on the principle that the anatomy of the body is reflected in miniature on reflex zones on the feet and also on the hands. By using specific techniques of holds and pressures on these regions, healing is both initiated and accelerated in the corresponding area of the body. A reflexologist uses hands only to apply pressure to the feet.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese word that means ‘Universal life energy’. Reiki is a healing energy that is channelled through a practitioner’s hands to the recipient. It activates the body’s natural ability to heal itself. ‘Spiritual healing’ is a Western equivalent.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage that involves lying clothed on a mat. Shiatsu practitioners use finger pressure and stretching exercises as well as conventional massage.
Other forms of massage include Swedish or traditional massage, biodynamic massage (a generally gentle form of massage in which the practitioner is guided by bodily cues such as digestion and heartbeat) and Thai massage, which is a more energetic version of Shiatsu and Yoga.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese set of exercises. It is based on the Taoist understanding that all things comprise of the harmony of two complementary forces, Yin (yielding) and Yang (brittle). It offers a form of anger management and relaxation, as it does an effective antidote to stress.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is a complex and ancient system of medicine. It involves specialised forms of diagnosis and ways of understanding the body. Techniques include acupuncture, herbal remedies, moxibustion (warming parts of the body with burning herbs), cupping and Chi Gong, a form of expressive movement therapy.
Yoga
Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline. Of Indian origin, it is part of traditional Indian or Ayurvedic medicine. Most Yoga practices in the West focus on the physical postures called ‘asanas’, breathing exercises, called ‘pranayama’, and meditation.
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Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage that involves lying clothed on a mat. Shiatsu practitioners use finger pressure and stretching exercises as well as conventional massage.
Other forms of massage include Swedish or traditional massage, biodynamic massage (a generally gentle form of massage in which the practitioner is guided by bodily cues such as digestion and heartbeat) and Thai massage, which is a more energetic version of Shiatsu and Yoga.
— hot Rolex Explorer · 26 May 2011 · #