Alternative Therapies

There has been a dramatic increase in awareness of and interest in alternative therapies and natural medicines. Natural health and alternative therapies can be loosely described as a self-care treatment system that builds and restores health by working with the natural recuperative powers of the body.

Some people choose to use alternative therapies instead of conventional treatment. Others choose to use them alongside conventional treatment.

There are many different therapies and treatments available. Some of the more popular treatments are:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and involves the treatment of disease by influencing points on meridians, or ‘lines of energy’, which interconnect across the body surface and relate to major organs of the body. This is commonly done by the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the skin to bring about healing.

Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a system of neuromuscular re-education that focuses on making people aware of how they move and think. It can help people regain ease of movement and wellbeing by removing inappropriate habitual patterns caused by poor posture, injury, chronic illness or stress.

Chinese herbal medicine

One of the oldest systems of herbal therapy in the world, traditional Chinese herbal medicine treats a wide range of conditions with the use of raw herbs as well as a vast array of prepared or patent medicines available in pill or powder form.

Chinese massage

The ‘manual therapy’ aspect of traditional Chinese medicine works with the power and sensitivity of the human touch to stimulate potent 'acupoints' or healing areas of the body.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a therapy system which aims to restore balance to the spine, muscle and nervous systems in order to maintain the body in good health. This may include the use of manipulative techniques of the spine, soft tissues and other joints of the body, as well as non-manipulative techniques.

Feldenkrais

This method aims to improve both bodily and mental efficiency and wellbeing by conscious analysis and awareness of neuromuscular activity. It adopts the principle that proper organisation of the self works to provide ease and comfort in action. Persons of both restricted and normal abilities may benefit, by developing awareness of movement and integration of their functions.

Homoeopathy

This is a form of alternative medicine based on the concept "let like be cured by like", via the use of heavily diluted preparations.

Iridology

This is a method of diagnosing the body’s state of health by viewing the iris of the eye to gain an understanding of the constitution, specific curative factors of disease and individual nutritional requirements.

Kinesiology

Kinesiology encompasses holistic health disciplines which use the gentle art of muscle monitoring to access information about a person’s wellbeing. It combines western techniques and eastern wisdom to promote physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. It identifies inhibitors in the body’s natural healing processes and assists with stimulating a person’s natural internal energies and accessing the life enhancing potential.

Naturopathy

The naturopath deals with internal health problems, metabolic disorders and imbalances through treating the whole person. Generally, a wide range of diagnostic techniques are employed to assess causative factors. Treatment involves dietary changes, herbal medicines, homoeopathy, bodywork or nutritional supplementation.

Osteopathy

This is a therapy that employs deep tissue massage, manipulation of the joints, soft tissues of the body and the spine to treat many symptoms and illnesses.

Reiki

Reiki is based on the premise that universal energy flows through all living things. When blockages occur, this energy cannot flow freely through the body.

Reiki practitioners draw upon the universal energy and lay their hands on or over the patient. The energy then flows from the practitioner’s hands to the patient’s body and moves the blockages that are causing the illness. With these blockages removed, it is claimed, the body cells are then prompted to heal naturally.

Reflexology

A therapy which works with both the circulatory and the lymphatic system, it involves the stimulation of pressure points on the feet to assess and treat ailments, correcting imbalances in the body by reflex action.

Remedial and Swedish Massage

This treatment is a blend of massage techniques promoting efficiency in the body’s systems, which in turn enhances the functioning of the entire person.

Shiatsu

This traditional Japanese technique of diagnosis and treatment is a method where thumbs and palms of the hand are used to apply pressure to certain points. Deep pressure is used to stimulate these points, clearing blockage and restoring the flow of energy to the body.

Suggestions for finding a practitioner

• Contact a professional association and ask for a list of members in your area
• Ask your health practitioner for a referral
• Ask your friends for word-of-mouth recommendations

It is also strongly recommended that you read as much literature as possible about a particular therapy before contacting a practitioner.

During the first visit with your practitioner ask about their training and qualifications. Treat with suspicion any practitioner who advises you to abandon your conventional medical treatment and, where appropriate, discuss all treatments with your general practitioner.

Contacts and resources related websites

Therapeutic Goods Administration - the website of this Australian Government agency includes a section on complementary medicines regulation.