ho·lis·tic
hōˈlistik/
adjective
PHILOSOPHY
Characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
MEDICINE characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease.
There are so many elements to living a Holistic life. Eating the right foods, finding the right exercise, finding the right holistic therapy and so on. Listed below are many types of alternative therapies out there that you may be interested in.
Reflexology
Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health.
Although reflexology is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to COMPLIMENT other treatments when addressing conditions like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.
Massage
There are so many different types of massages all treating different needs and providing various benefits. The most common is the Swedish massage, which is a whole-body therapeutic massage designed to relax the muscles and joints. Other popular types include deep tissue, shiatsu, hot stone, reflexology (see above) and Thai massage.
A good massage is truly a treat and offers many health benefits.
Swedish massage – best known and most widely practiced approach to massage. It focuses on improving blood flow to the skin and muscle and removing muscle tension. Swedish provides generalized relaxation, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and enhances one’s overall state of health.
Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy – uses slow friction and deep finger pressure on body areas suffering from chronic muscle tension or areas that ache or feel contracted. This type of massage is useful for areas of hypertension, such as a stiff neck or sore shoulders. Deep tissue work works well in combination with traditional Swedish therapy.
Sports massage – Sports massage, geared toward athletes and fitness enthusiasts, is more vigorous than other forms of massage. Sports massage is used to warm up muscle tissue, assist in training, prevent injury, and aid healing in case of soreness or injury. It is used both before and after exercise, as well as in the treatment of sports injuries such as sprains, strains, or tendonitis.
Shiatsu – This is a Japanese form of bodywork that is rooted in the same principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine as acupuncture. Both see the body as an interconnected web of energy pathways called meridians. Blockages to flow of energy results in imbalances: some areas have an excess of energy and others a deficiency. These blockages lead to tension, pain, and diminished health. The Shiatsu practitioner uses a combination of pressure, stretching, and holding key points to treat these blockages and restore a smooth flow of energy and balance in the body.
Lymphatic Massage – A very light, gentle, repetitive stroke is used to stimulate the activity of the lymphatic system where there is edema. Lymphatic massage is used to reduce swelling resulting from injury or post-surgery.
Heated Stone Massage – For these treatments, the therapist uses heated basalt mineral stones and/or semi-precious stones that represent the chakras. Muscle tension is released as the smooth stones move over the muscle. Heated Stone Massage is also thought to align subtle energies within the body for greater attunement and harmony.
Rolfing – Rolfing is a system of body restructuring and movement education. It works with the deep myofascial structures of the body in order to release fascial adhesions and allowing the muscles and bones to return to balanced relationships. The focus is on alignment throughout the body – legs, torso, arms, etc… You may want to research more into Rolfing if you have serious postural deviations.
Pregnancy – Pregnancy massage is designed to decrease tension and swelling and increase circulation for both pregnant women and those who have just given birth.
Indian Head Massage – Indian Head massage therapist applies pressure to points in the upper back, arms and shoulders that will release muscles and knots. They will then move to the neck and head to reduce headache-causing blockages and encourage better circulation of the cerebral fluid and it also promotes hair growth.
Aromatherapy Massage – Aromatherapy massage uses fragrant oils extracted from herbs, flowers and fruits to naturally enhance the benefits of massage
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
Crystal Healing
Crystal Healing is the use of the healing powers of crystals in alternative medicine. Crystals act as conduits for healing — allowing positive, healing energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out. There is a history of this practice is ancient, dating back at least 6,000 years to the time of the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia. Ancient Egyptians, being among the first people to have adorned themselves with crystals — including lapis lazuli, carnelian and turquoise — to ward off illness and negative energy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of tradional Chinese medicine involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points. It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these same points. Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief, although it is also used for a wide range of other conditions
Acupressure
Acupressure is a therapy developed over 5,000 years ago as an important aspect of Asian, especially Chinese, medicine. It uses precise finger placement and pressure over specific points along the body. These points follow specific channels, known as meridians – the same channels used in acupuncture.
Nutrition
Eating healthy is crucial to maintaining good health. Fortunately, it’s easier than it sounds. Arm yourself with knowledge and you’re halfway there. If you think of eating healthy not as a sacrifice, but more as an opportunity for self-improvement, you’re almost at the finish line. You don’t need someone to tell you the numerous health benefits that putting away the donuts and hamburgers will get you. You want someone to show you how it’s done.
The crucial part of healthy eating is a balanced diet. A balanced diet – or a good diet – means consuming from all the different good groups in the right quantities – carbohydrates, Protein and fat.
It should include:
- Protein (found in fish, meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and beans)
- Fat (found in animal and dairy products, nuts, and oils)
- Carbohydrates (found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans and other legumes)
- Vitamins, which can be found in fruits and vegetables.
- Minerals,which can also be found in fruits and vegetables.
- Water (both in what you drink, and what’s naturally in foods)
- Adding superfoods to your diet. They are foods high in nutrients.You can buy these and many other superfoods from energiseforlife.com. Click on to this link to see which one is best for youhttp://www.energiseforlife.com/?acc=a1d0c6e83f027327d8461063f4ac58a6.
- You can make healthy juices and smoothies that compact nutritional content. A fantastic smoothie maker is the nutribullet that can be purchase from amazon. Click on to this link to see which one is best for you http://www.amazon.com?_encoding=UTF8&tag=wellnessandwe-20
Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides nutrients to your body. These nutrients give you energy and keep your heart beating, your brain active, and your muscles working. Nutrients also help build and strengthen bones, muscles, and tendons and also regulate body processes, such as blood pressure
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy or essential oils therapy. Essential oils are precious, sweet smelling liquids extracted from many varieties of plants. They are found in medications, in perfumes, beauty products and in some commercially prepared food and drinks.
They can help to uplift your mood and energy. It provides natural goodness indoors, where we can live and breathe in the pure concentrated form of essential oils.
Secrets of Natural Walking
This workshop will teach you how to walk properly using the 6 keys that will be revised one by one in detail to make sure every participant knows the basic understanding of natural walking so that every step we take can:
- Significantly reduce joint, bone and nerve pain
- Improve posture and related conditions such as scoliosis and hunch back
- Increase flexibility and balance and a more developed core
- Improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Improve digestion, metabolism and weight loss
- Improve functioning of internal organs
- Increase energy and endurance levels and vitality
- Have a more toned and proportional body size
- Have a calmer mind and elevated mood and improved sleep quality.
Participants will be invited to do experiments in this interactive workshop to be more connected to their body and to most importantly experience relaxation by actively removing stress. The end result of this training is to make a person more healthy physically , mentally and spiritually.
As you see there are many choices to help you find a therapy that may work for you.
I hope you found this helpful and thank you for reading this. Please feel free to leave any comments.
Find the key to wellbeing in my book, The Wellness Approach: Lasting Lifestyle Change Made Simple.
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