QIGONG

This traditional Chinese treatment combines hands-on and hands-off techniques that balance the flow of qi (energy) through the body, move and relieve qi blockages, and improve circulation.

Qigong is also a combination of timed breathing and gentle flowing movement, meditation, visualization, and conscious intent all working together to achieve an integrated adjustment of mind and body in order to better cultivate, circulate, and balance qi, or life force.

Qigong theory is the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is used to treat many serious illnesses, as well as for relaxation. See Qigong Meridian Therapy.

(See also: QIGONG , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

See also these related archives:

Therapeutic kinesiology, Therapeutic Prayer, Therapeutic Shiatsu, Therapeutic Touch inner work, Therapeutic Touchs, Third Way, Thirty-day energetic workout, Thought Field Therapy, Thought Therapy, Three Fold Examination Process, Three in One, Three Phase Workout, Tibetan Ayurveda, Tibetan herbal medicine, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan Point Holding, Tibetan Pulsing Healing, Tibetan Reiki, Time Line Therapy, Tissue Sensing, Toad fighting, Tomatis Method, Tongue diagnosis, Tonic, Touch For Health, Touch for Health, Touch therapy, Touchabilities, Tracing, Traditional acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional chiropractic, Traditional Dhanur Veda diagnosis, Traditional herbal diagnosis, Traditional Indian medicine, Traditional osteopathy, Traditional shiatsu, Trager, Trager Approach, Trager Bodywork, Trager Mentastics, Tragerwork, Trance channeling, Transcendental Meditation, Transcendental Meditation Sidhi program, Transference treatment, Transformational bodywork, Transformational Breath, Transformational Breathwork, Transformational Counseling, Transformational dreaming, Transformational dynamic breathwork, Transformational Hypnotherapy, Transformational Therapy, Transformation-oriented bodywork, Transition Method, Transpersonal Hypnotherapy, Transpersonal psychology, Transpersonal regression therapy, Transpersonal therapy, TranZenDans Kinetics, Trauma Release Therapy, Trauma Touch Therapy, Tridoshas, Trigger Point Myotherapy, Trigger Points, TRIGGERS Mind Programming System, Triglyceride, Trigunas, Tsubo therapy, Tui Na, Tuina, Tuning Forks, Turaya Touch System, Twelve stages of healing, Twelve Steps

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Alternative Health Dictionary

Below are the archives for the 4269 dictionary entries related to alternative health. The great advantage with this dictionary is that each word is linking to an archive with

1. explanations of the word from several sources<br>

2. articles related to the word, where the phrase is used in its natural context.<br>

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ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force (sometimes known as qi or chi) to aid healing.

Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle, but firm pressure of hands (and even feet). There is a large amount of scientific data demonstrating why and how acupuncture is effective. But acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was neglected after the Chinese developed more technical methods for stimulating points with needles and electricity.

Acupressure, however, continues to be the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Foremost among the advantages of acupressure’s healing touch is that it is safe to do on yourself and others - even if you’ve never done it before - so long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to the cautions. The only pieces of equipment needed are your own two hands. You can practice acupressure therapy anytime, anywhere.

Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches, constipation, and indigestion. Self-acupressure can also be used to relieve anxiety and get better sleep at night. There are also great advantages to using acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health.

The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. In acupressure, local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole. A tension headache, for instance, may be rooted in the shoulder and neck area. Thus, acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort, as well as responding to tension, before it develops into a disease - before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage.

The origins of acupressure are as ancient as the instinctive impulse to hold your forehead or temples when you have a headache. Everyone at one time or another has used their hands spontaneously to hold tense or painful places on the body. More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body relieved pain where it occurred and also benefited other parts of the body more remote from the pain and the pressure point. Gradually, they found other locations that not only alleviated pain, but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. (Definition in part from the book Acupressure’s Potent Points, by Michael Reed Gach, director of the Acupressure Institute.)

(See also: ACUPRESSURE , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Confucius

(Chinese: K'ung Fu-tzu, "Master K'ung"; 551-479 BC) The most famous philosopher of ancient China. According to tradition, he was born in Lu, China. Author of the Ch'un Chiu (Spring and Autumn Annals) and possible compiler of some early poetry, Confucius denied contemporary claims of his sageliness.

The most reliable historical source regarding Confucius is the Lun Yu (Analects). Transmitter of the rites and culture of earlier sage-kings, Confucius aimed to counteract the militarism of his day through training prospective leaders in humane government and gentlemanly arts. Ironically, no ruler fully accepted his teachings or employed him in high office. Religious issues were generally secondary to his ethical and political lessons but were expressed through his ritual piety. Sacrifices were properly performed to ancestral spirits at appropriate times during meals and after receiving certain gifts.

Confucius frequented the ancestral temple, presided in exorcism rites, and visited the Grand Temple of the great Duke of Chou. This sagely predecessor had stabilized the kingdom through unselfish service and religious mediation, securing the Mandate of Heaven (T'ien-ming). Confucius's concern to understand the Mandate of Heaven in his day was fulfilled when he was fifty.

He anguished over the early death of his best disciple, Yen Yuan, yet pursued a mission he believed was willed by Heaven.

Later Chinese generations claimed Confucius to be the perfect sage, honoring him in temples erected throughout China. The Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean) calls Confucius the "partner of Heaven and Earth. "

(See also: Confucius , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

BioEssence therapy: System developed by Paul Pitchford. It includes BioEssence bodywork, BioEssence release work (which involves stylized breathing), diet, herbalism, Qigong, tai chi, and traditional Chinese diagnostic methods.

(See also: BioEssence therapy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

History of Herbs

The traditional definition of an herb is a non-woody plant that dies down to the ground after flowering. However, "herb" is often used to describe any plant of which any part is used for medical treatment or nutritional value. In this sense of the word, herbs have been used and studied since prehistoric mankind. Five thousand years ago, the Sumerians kept the first written record of the use of herbs. In 2700 B.C., the Chinese wrote an herb book listing over 365 medicinal plants and their uses. Herbs are mentioned in the Old Testament, and the medicinal practices of ancient Greeks and Romans rose from herbalism.

The first European book on herbs dates from the first century A.D. It refers to more than 500 plants and remained an authoritative reference into the 1600s. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church discouraged the practice of medicine. Herbalism was preserved in monasteries, by monks hand-copying manuscripts of herbs, and planting their own herb gardens.

In the 17th century, the introduction of active chemical drugs and the development of chemistry led to the decline of herbalism, although folk medicine still existed in the home and small villages. By the end of the 19th and into the 20th centuries, orthodox medicine had pushed homeopathic medicine further from the mainstream.

Herbalists today seek to help people build their health with natural sources. The philosophy is that the body is capable of healing itself given the proper conditions. Herbalism, psychic healing, acupuncture, aromatherapy, touch therapy, and massage therapy can all work with orthodox treatments to create a healthy body.

(See also: Herbs , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

TAI CHI

Tai Chi (pronounced tie-chee) emphasizes complete relaxation, and is essentially a form of mediation, or what has been called "meditation in motion." Unlike the hard martial arts, Tai Chi is characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasize force, rather than brute strength. Though it is soft, slow, and flowing, the movements are executed precisely. 

Tai Chi history is not well documented; however, aspects of it date back at least 2000 years B.C. in ancient India. In the 13th century A.D., a Taoist (pronounced DOW-ist) monk, Chang Sang Feng, developed what is known as Tai Chi. Then Tai Chi came to be associated with different families in China, and each family’s name designated a different style of Tai Chi. The Chen family developed the Tai Chi style upon which all other modern styles are based. A man by the name of Yang, who studied with the Chen family, later modified the Chen style, thus developing the Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan. The Yang style is the most common traditional style of Tai Chi Chuan practiced today. The Yang style has three different forms that are practiced: Simplified form, short form, and long form.

Chi is an ancient Chinese concept that designates a form of energy. The term literally means "breath," as does the ancient Greek word from which we get the word "spirit." According to the philosophy of Tai Chi, this energy, which flows throughout every body, can become blocked. Tai Chi philosophy states that illness is due to the flow of the chi through the body becoming blocked. The Chinese recognize several means for freeing up the flow of chi. Two of the more commonly known forms in this country are acupuncture and Tai Chi.

Tai Chi, as also used as form of meditation to develop self-understanding. Learning to control oneself enables one to deal with others. This self-control can come about through two principal notions found in the Tao Te Ching (pronounced DOW tay ching) and I Ching (pronounced EE- ching). These two notions are the fundamental concepts of yin and yang. The philosophy of Taoism (DOW-ism) understands everything in terms of these two opposing principles. Though these two principles are seen as opposites, the one necessarily merges into the other, creating the natural balance of self and world, hence the classic symbol of Tai Chi . The Tai Chi form is meant to enable one to bring the principles of yin and yang back into their fundamental, natural harmony. The ultimate effect of this harmony, according to Taoism and Tai Chi, is one's physical and spiritual well-being.

(See also: TAI CHI , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

T'ien: In Chinese tradition, this is translated as Heaven. T'ien is an important theme in Chinese religion, philosophy, and the Chinese conception of the dynasty and cycle.

 (See also: T'ien , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

wing chun kung fu (wing chun): Subject of Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese Kung Fu for Self-Defense and Health (Griffin). wing chun is the simplest and most powerful form of kung fu (see Chinese Wushu).

(See also: Wing chun kung fu , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE

Ayurvedic (pronounced eye yur VEH dik) medicine stresses a holistic approach to health. It means “science of life.” It places equal emphasis on body, mind and spirit and its main goal is to restore the innate harmony of the individual.

Ayurvedic medicine defines disease as the result of climatic extremes, bacterial attack, nutritional deviance, and stress, as well as other forms of emotional imbalance. Optimal health is achieved by cultivating mental and physical habits that are conducive to physical and spiritual well-being. Treatment often includes yoga, diet, and the development of positive attitude

Ayurvedic medicine evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3000-5000 years ago. There are specific aspects of this system of medicine that distinguish it from other approaches to health care. It focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of the life energies within us, rather than focusing on individual symptoms.

"Constitution” is the keystone of Auruvedic medicine. Constitution refers to the overall health profile of the individual, including strength and susceptibilities. Ayurvedic doctors determine each metabolic body type and then specify a treatment plan to guide one back into harmony with the environment. 

Underlying Ayurveda is the view that everything is composed of five basic elements: ether/space, air, fire, water and earth. These are similar to the elements in traditional Chinese medicine. These elements combine to form the metabolic body types, or doshas (pronounced DOE shas). Ayurveda describes three body types. Even though each person’s metabolic type is determined by a predominant dosha, all three doshas are present in varying degrees in every cell, tissue and organ of the body.

The three doshas are vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is motion that activates the physical system, physical activity, and nerve force. It allows the body to breathe and circulate blood. The seats of the vata are the large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones , skin, ears and thighs. Pitta processes food, air and water and is responsible for charging the endocrine and enzymatic activities throughout the body. The seats of the pitta are the small intestines, stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin and eyes. Kapha involves the structure of bones, tendons, muscles and the fat that holds the body together. It offers nourishment and protection. The chest, lungs, and fluid surrounding the spinal cord are the seats of kapha.

When the doshas are balanced in accordance with the individual’s constitution, the result is vibrant heath and energy. When the balance is disturbed the body becomes susceptible to disease. Imbalance in the doshas is the first sign that the mind and body are not perfectly coordinated.

Ayurvedic medicine believes that once people understand the characteristics and qualities of their body type they can make changes in their lifestyle and environment to restore dosha balance. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people of all ages, from young children to the elderly.

(See also: AYURVEDIC MEDICINE , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

A dictionary of Parapsycology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

Acupuncture: An ancient element of traditional Chinese medicine. This practice can balance the flow of vital life energy, or qi throughout the body. Practitioners insert special needles into accupoints just below the skin’s surface in order to bring qi into harmony. It can treat a wide range of diseases, help manage pain, and build the immune response.

(See also: Acupuncture , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Wu-liang-shih, Wu-liang-shu (Chinese) Also Wuliang-sheu. Boundless age; equivalent to the Hebrew 'eyn soph (without bounds). The root of wu-liang-shih is the unknown darkness -- the Self-existent (tsi-tsi).

See also AMITABHA BUDDHA

(See also: Wu-liang-shih, Wu-liang-shu , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Tuan Ying T'u Chinese classic. {SD 2:365}

(See also: Tuan Ying T'u , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Acupressure: Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, often called “acupuncture without needles.” The practitioner applies pressure to centers along energy channels in the body to activate, balance, or drain excess energy in the body.

(See also: Acupressure , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

tai chi (tai chi chuan, Tai Ji, tai ji chuan, Tai Ji Juan, tai ji quan, Taiqi): A variation of self-healing. Tai chi is an ancient, yoga-like Chinese system of ballet-like exercises designed for health, self-defense, and spiritual development.

Practicing tai chi facilitates the flow of chi (life energy) through the body by dissolving blockages both within the body and between the body and the environment. Traditional tai chi involves about 108 to 128 postures, including repetitions. The difficulty lies in concatenating the postures into circular movements. Quan means boxing.

(See also: Tai chi , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

JIN SHIN DO

Developed by psychotherapist Iona Marsaa Teeguarden, Jin Shin Do combines gentle, yet deep finger pressure on acu-points with simple body focusing techniques to release physical and emotional tension. The client determines the depth of the pressure.

Jin Shin Do promotes a pleasurable, trancelike state during which the recipient can get in touch with the body and access feelings or emotions related to the physical condition. This body/mind approach, performed on the fully-clothed client, is a synthesis of a traditional Japanese acupressure technique, classic Chinese acupuncture theory, Taoist yogic philosophy and breathing methods, and Reichian segmental theory. The client lies on her back on a massage table while the practitioner holds “local points” in tension areas together with related “distal points,” which help the armored places to release more easily and deeply. A typical session is about 11?2 hours.

Jin Shin Do acupressure is effective in helping relieve tension and fatigue, stress-related headaches and gastro-intestinal problems, back and shoulder pain, eye strain, menstrual and menopausal imbalances, sinus pain, and allergies. (With medical problems, the client is asked to consult a doctor.) Over a period of 10 or more sessions, armoring is progressively released in the head, neck, shoulders, chest, diaphragm, abdomen, pelvis, and legs.

After sessions, clients typically feel deeply relaxed and may even feel euphoric. If the client is responsive, there will be significantly less tension and pain together with an increased sense of well-being for hours or days. This response will tend to extend after further sessions. In the case of chronic fatigue, initially the client may feel more tired after a session, because the body is demanding rest. It is advisable to schedule sessions with time to rest and relax afterward. On the other hand, Jin Shin Do can be used before athletic events to improve performance, for horses as well as for people. “The Way of the Compassionate Spirit” is based on the eight “Strange Flows” that regulate the entire body/mind energy.

(See also: JIN SHIN DO , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Tai Chi Chuan

Traditional Chinese non-aggressive martial art based on awareness and yielding which is practiced in slow motion; a meditation technique for grounding and centering, that is based on Taoist philosophy.

(See also: Tai Chi Chuan , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Gobi or Shamo Desert A wild, arid region of mountains and sandy plains which was once fertile land and in part the site of a former inland sea or lake on which was the "Sacred Island" where the "Sons of Will and Yoga," the elect of the third root-race, took refuge when the daityas prevailed over the devas and humanity became black with sin.

 It has been called by the Chinese the Sea of Knowledge, and tradition says that the descendants of the holy refugees still inhabit an oasis "in the dreadful wildernesses of the great Desert of Gobi, now the fabled Sambhala" (SD 2:220). This region was transformed into a sea for the last time ten or twelve thousand years ago; a local cataclysm drained off the waters southward and westward, leaving the present conditions. It is also said that the events connected with the drying up of the Gobi region are associated with allegories of wars between the good and evil forces and the "systematic persecution of the Prophets of the Right Path by those of the Left" which led the world into materialistic forms of thought.

(See also: Goat of Mendes , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

I Ching

(Yi King or The Book of Changes) Traditional Chinese divination method that involves tossing three identical coins or objects six times and using the patterns they form to receive answers to personal questions from the I Ching or Book of Changes.

(See also: I Ching , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)