Alternative Medicine What is Alternative Medicine Approaches to

Alternative Medicine

What is Alternative Medicine • Approaches to diagnosing and treating that is different than standard medicine.

Types • • Chiropractor Massage therapy Acupuncture Herbal Medicine

Chiropractor • Treats clients without drugs or surgery • Uses manual adjustments and physical exercises • Treatment is focused on the spine

Adjustments • Treatment to realign the vertebrae when there is subluxation (out of place) • May hear “popping sound” • Goal is to restore function of spinal nerves

Why see a chiropractor? • Back, arm, neck, shoulder, or leg pain • Frequent headaches • Sports or work injuries

Chiropractor https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Hez. EEl mzok. Y

Massage Therapy • Uses pressure, kneading, vibration, and tapping to positively affect health • Helps client relax and reduce stress • Helps relax muscles • Work in spas, offices, or clients homes

Other benefits • • • Improves concentration Promotes sleep Relaxes mind Releases tension Boosts immune function

Types of Massage Therapy

Swedish Massage • Best known-used on soft tissues of body • Stimulates circulation and lymph flow • Utilizes 5 basic strokes: kneading, rolling, vibration, percussion, and tapping • Oil is used to reduce friction

Neuromuscular Massage • Applied to specific muscles

Shiatsu and acupressure • Finger pressure is used • Balances energy flow • Generally done on mat in floor

Reiki • Use visualization and touch to balance energy flow. • Brings healing energy to specific organs and glands • Promotes emotional and physical healing

Acupuncture • Brings two opposite forces of yin and yang together in harmony • Used for pain management

Acupuncture • Inserts thin, hollow needles under the skin (up to 1 inch) • May twirl, raise, rotate, thrust, or vibrate the needles • Usually lasts 20 -60 minutes

Electro-acupuncture • Used to relieve or prevent pain • Very small amount electrical current applied thru needles • Uses high frequency current which can block the pain

Moxibustion • Applies heat to the points where needles are inserted

Acupuncture https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=TC 4 l 0 E m. Nky. Y https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Az 9 kf. SB Je. LM https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 Lbh. Ox QFruc

Acupressure • No needles • Points stimulated using instrument or finger pressure

Herbal Medicine • Use leaves, flowers, berries, stems, and roots of herbs • Used to prevent, relieve, or treat illnesses • Prepare meds based on diagnosis • No license or certification required

Herbal cont. • Have powerful effects • Must know correct type and amount needed for individual • Side effects are possible • Contraindicated in pregnancy

Alternative Medicine Project • Typed or neatly written • Title at top with your name and class period • Describe the career • History-who invented, when, where? • How it is performed or given, job duties? • What does it treat or what is it used for? • Any side effects or contraindications? • Education or certification required?