A Different Approach: 5 Types of Alternative Medicine that Really Work

Alternative medicine is a subject that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. With concerns about the opioid crisis and natural health, many people are turning to alternatives for their healthcare needs. Alternative medicine is much less likely to have side effects or to be addictive. The key to living a healthy lifestyle is having a supportive doctor and exploring all of your options. This article will provide an overview of just some of the different types of alternative medicine and what they can do for you.

Integrated Medicine’s Role in Health Care

Integrative Pediatrician or health practitioners are easy to find by doing a web search for integrated medicine in your area. Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to health care that addresses all aspects of your well-being. Mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are valued just as highly as your physical well-being in this branch of medicine.

That’s why it is worth searching for a doctor that is supportive of integrative medicine. They will know all of your options, and they’ll be able to help you find what works best for you and your family.

Physical Fitness as Preventative Health Care

Yoga would be an excellent place to start when experimenting with alternative medicine because it is preventative and improves your overall health. While you can pay quite a lot for a membership at a boutique studio, you can also practice for free at home. There are plenty of free online classes to choose from. The benefits of practicing yoga include increased flexibility, increased endurance, strengthened and toned muscles, and improved circulatory system, and weight loss.

In order to gain the flexibility that yoga touts, you have to relax in the different poses. It is pretty much impossible to get into a pigeon pose unless your mind is calm and relaxed, and in this way, it is a priceless tool to use when training and disciplining both your mind and your body. Challenging stretches can often provide emotional release as well.

Yoga and other types of physical activity can also decrease stress, depression, and anxiety in part because they get you out of your head and into your physical body. Just remember to be respectful and listen to your body when attempting any type of physical activity. Consult your doctor if you have any injuries or limitations to ensure that you can exercise safely.

Do Meditation and Hypnosis Improve Health?

Did you know that stress can have a physical effect on your health? According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, heavy stress can take 2.8 years off of your life. Meditation and hypnosis are options that may help you to manage stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and much more.

Meditation can be guided or unguided, and the goal is usually to bring you back into the present moment. There are plenty of different meditative techniques. These include but are not limited to body scanning, focusing on sound, and focusing on and controlling your breathing. Though meditation is often self-guided, there are several apps that you can find online with databases full of guided meditations using the techniques described above.

Hypnosis is different than meditation in that it carries you into a state of unconsciousness and typically requires someone to guide you through it. If you are in a hypnotic state, you are more prone to the power of suggestion. This is how many people conquer fears, addictions, and negative habits. Both meditation and hypnosis train the mind to heal itself and eradicate negative thought patterns. It’s amazing what the brain can do!

A Good Old Healthy Diet Works Wonders

A healthy diet seems like a no-brainer if you are looking to achieve great health naturally, but it is worth mentioning. Fitness, diet, and mental health are arguably the best preventative healthcare weapons you can arm yourself with. There are many types of diets out there, including high-protein, low-carb, high-fat, plant-based to name a few, but successful diets share a lot in common.

Processed foods like white flour, soda, energy drinks, and cookies should generally be avoided in a healthy diet. They typically contain unhealthy amounts of sugar, sodium, and fat. This can cause a range of serious health problems including but not limited to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

On the other hand, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Select whole foods where possible, and you will feel a difference! Remember that it’s important to have balance, of course. You won’t succeed at any diet if you leave no room for flexibility.

Using Traditional Alternative Medicine to Treat Existing Health Problems

Traditional alternative medicine is the most mainstream and accepted type of alternative medicine. Included in this category are acupuncture, acupressure, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and Chinese medicine. Acupuncture in particular is known for its ability to ease pain, and it involves putting small needles into the skin.

Acupressure is very similar to acupuncture, but there are no needles involved. Instead, manual pressure is applied to different meridian points along the body. Traditional alternative medicines focus on balancing the mind and body, thereby allowing the body to heal itself. This places trust in the body’s ability to heal without drugs or an invasive procedure, and it is very capable of doing this in many cases!

Final Thoughts

What works for one family may not work for another, so don’t get discouraged if one treatment doesn’t work for you. The world of health care is vast and somewhat intimidating. The good news is that there are preventative steps you can take now—eating a healthy diet, meditating, and exercising, for example—to fight sickness and disease.

If you are interested in delving deeper into alternative medicine, consider finding a doctor that is supportive of integrative health. They can help you explore all of your options, and it will feel great to have a health professional that supports your values on your views. Enjoy your health journey.