Biologically based therapies

Therapies based on diets

Special dietary regimens (for example, Gerson's therapy, Kelly's regimen, macrobiotic diet, Ornish diet, Pritikin diet) are used to treat or prevent certain diseases (for example, cancer, cardiovascular disorders) or to improve overall health. Ayurveda uses herbs, massage, yoga and therapeutic elimination - usually using enemas, massage with rubbing oils or washing the nose - to restore the balance of body and nature.

Selected therapies	Description
Biological therapies	Substances (eg, shark cartilage) or molecules (eg, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, glucosamine) are naturally found in animals and used to treat disease
Herbal Treatment	To treat diseases and improve health, plants (herbs)
Orthomolecular therapy	Molecules normally present in the body (eg, hormones, vitamins, nutrients) are used to treat diseases and improve health

Manipulative methods and bodily methods

Chiropractic	Chiropractic is based on the relationship between the structure of the spine and the functions of the nervous system; The bones and joints are controlled in such a way as to restore the balance of the body
Massage	The tissues are controlled in such a way as to improve well-being and reduce pain and stress.
Re-education posture	Movement and contact are used to help patients re-assimilate the correct and healthy position of the body. Methods include the method Alexander, Feldenkrais and Trager. Therapies have as their goal the rejection of habitual, harmful ways of holding the body, focusing the patient's attention on the realization of the good through movement
Reflexology	To certain areas of the legs, which theoretically correspond to different organs or systems of the body, apply manual pressure
Deep massage	The fascia undergoes manipulation and stretching to restore healthy bone and muscle alignment

Energy Therapies

Outer Ki Gong	Within this variation of Chinese medical practice, kyong healers use the energy of their own biofield to balance the energy of the patient
Magnetic Therapy	Magnets are placed on the body to reduce pain
Pulsating electric field	Corrupted parts of the body are placed in an inductive electric field to facilitate healing
Reiki	As part of this technique, Japanese-born practitioners are letting energy through their body and through the patient's body to improve the healing process
Therapeutic contact	This technique is often explained as a "laying on of hands", even though contact is not actually required; she uses the healing energy of the doctor to identify and eliminate inconsistencies in the biofield of the patient

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Ayurveda (Ayurveda)

Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, originated more than 4000 years ago. It is based on the theory that the disease is caused by an imbalance in the vital force of the body (prana). The balance of prana is determined by the balance of 3 physical qualities (doshas): vata, pitta and cata.

[6], [7], [8], [9], [10]

Homeopathy

Developed in Germany in the late 1700's, homeopathy is based on the principle: the like is treated similar.

A substance that, when given in large doses, causes a certain set of symptoms, is supposed to cure the same symptoms when it is given in small doses.

Medicines used in homeopathy are obtained from naturally occurring substances, such as plant extracts and minerals. Very low concentrations are prepared in a special way. The more diluted homoeopathic medicine, the stronger it is believed to be.

Traditional scientists can not find any scientific explanation for how dissolved medications used in homeopathy can cure the disease. Some solutions are so weak that they contain no molecules of the "active" component. However, homeopathy is associated with some risk; In rare cases, an allergic or toxic reaction occurs.

Naturopathy

This therapy originated as the official health care system in the US in the early 1900s. Based on the healing ability of nature, naturopathy emphasizes the possibility of preventing and treating the disease through a healthy lifestyle, treating the entire patient and using the natural healing abilities of the human body. This system also aims at finding the cause of the disease rather than simply treating the symptoms. Some of the principles of this system are not so different from the principles of modern Western medicine.

Naturopathy uses a combination of therapies, including acupuncture, counseling, exercise therapy, herbal therapy, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, natural childbirth, good nutrition, physical medicine and controlled imagery.

Traditional Chinese medicine. Originated more than 2,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that the disease is caused by an incorrect flow of vital force (ki). Ki is restored by balancing the forces of the opposite forces of yin and yang, which manifest themselves in the body as heat and cold, external and internal, deficiency and excess. Various methods are used to preserve and promote health (for example, acupuncture, herbal preparations, massage, meditation).

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a special therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most widely accepted alternative therapies in the Western world. Certain points on the human body are usually involved by inserting thin needles into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Sometimes additional excitation of points is added by supplying a very low voltage to the electric current, twisting the needle or heating the needle. The stimulation of these specific points is believed to open the flow of ki, forcing it to move along the meridians of energy, and, thus, restores the balance between yin and yang. The procedure is not painful, but can cause a tingling sensation. A type of acupuncture, called a massage of the acupressure points of the skin (acupressure), uses a local massage instead of needles to stimulate acupuncture points. Acupuncturists receive a license after listening to 3000 hours of instruction and passing the state examination; some doctors, more often pain specialists, practice acupuncture after about 300 hours of training. The issuance of permits varies from state to state. Research has shown that acupuncture releases various neurotransmitters (eg, endorphins) that act as natural painkillers. There is sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture as an analgesic or anti-emetic. However, acupuncture is not effective in quitting smoking or losing weight. Unfavorable consequences, if the procedure is done correctly, are extremely rare. The most common symptoms are worsening (usually temporary) and loss of consciousness. The risk of infection is extremely rare; most practitioners use disposable needles.

[11], [12], [13],