AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy has been practiced in one form or another since the beginning of civilization. Almost every part of the world has some history of using aromatherapy in their health care system. Modern-day aromatherapy began with the work of a French chemist, Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950). He studied the psychological and physiological effects of essential oils on many patients from the First World War. Essential oils were found to promote wound healing and recovery, and prevent infection. 

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and beauty. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are sometimes called a plant's "life force", because they are essential to the plant's biological process, as well as being the substance that gives it its scent.

Apart from the physical benefits, essential oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. Synthetic oils, even if chemically similar, will lack all the natural elements and the vital life force that make essential oils so valuable therapeutically. Many clinical conditions can be helped through the use of essential oils.

Clinical aromatherapy uses essential oils to achieve specific outcomes. Psycho aromatherapy can improve mood and perceptions through smell. Aromatherapy can improve breathing and eliminate nausea. Essential oils can ease muscle pain. Aromatherapy is enjoyed by ill children and the elderly and is very safe when a skilled aroma therapist provides the instruction.

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

HOMEOPATHY

Discovered and developed more than 150 years ago by a German physician named Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who became disenchanted with the medical status quo of his time, and sought alternative methods of healing.

He discovered that when introducing a medicine, which produced the same symptoms of the illness, the disease disappeared. Thus was born the concept of the Law of Similars, when “like cures like.” Homeopathy utilizes minute doses of natural remedies that are created from herbal, mineral and animal substances. The substance is diluted with a lactose base or similar, and the dilution process is called “trituration.” The potency depends upon the number of times the substance has been triturated, and strange as it may seem, the more it is diluted, the more potent it becomes. Here we can see that the energy of the substance plays a significant role. The more subtle it becomes, the more powerful its effect.

Dr. Hahnemann discovered that illness or its symptoms are not to be suppressed, since they represent the body's efforts to repel disease. It has been learned that the suppression of symptoms leads to an exacerbation of the illness, while the rapid and gentle expression of symptoms leads to cure. It appears that Homeopathy has special licensing laws in Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada, but is widely practiced throughout Europe, and also in India. In London the Royal Homeopathic Hospital has been established for a long time, of which Prince Charles been a patron.

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

integral counseling psychology: A form of psychotherapy taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco. It encompasses bioenergetics, Gestalt therapy, holotropic therapy (see Holotropic Breathwork), Integral Yoga, psychosynthesis, spiritual mind healing, Taoism, and Theosophical Therapy. One of its principles is that one can help humans to contact and activate their inner organizing center for holistic living.

(See also: Integral counseling psychology, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

SACRAL CRANIAL THERAPY

Works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. The CranioSacral System consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your natural healing mechanisms to reinstate the balance of the central nervous system. In the 1900s, Osteopathic Physician, William Sutherland observed that the bones of the skull were structured to allow for movement. In 1970, Dr. John E. Upledger further observed the rhythmic movement of the CranioSacral system during the performance of surgery, and was soon to understand how a hydraulic system using cerebrospinal fluid might function inside a membranous sac encased within the skull and spinal canal. He therefore incorporated and refined Dr. Sutherland’s techniques with success.

Later he led a team of physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers to test and document the influence of therapy on the CranioSacral system. The natural movement of this fluid and soft tissue can be treated in such a way as to help the body self-correct. CST can be applied to a wide range of conditions.

(See also: SACRAL CRANIAL THERAPY, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

EAR CANDLING/EAR CONING

Is an ancient technique of creating a long cone or funnel usually out of cotton muslin, which has been soaked in paraffin or bees wax, and various herbs. This was practiced by ancient civilizations such as, the Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, Native Americans, and more recently in Europe.

The Ear Cone or Candle is about one foot long, and the narrow end fits into the ear of the person lying on their other side. The candle is lit at the far end, the heat of which creates a “chimney effect,” which cause the hot air to rise, and thus creates a vacuum with the ear. This is sufficient to lift out any fungus, yeast infection, wax, bacteria, or the sloughed off cells that accumulate within the ear canal and Eustachian Tube.

This healing art is extremely profound, for it is reputed to initiate a healing process that continues for several days after the coning. This can alleviate allergies, sinus conditions, hearing loss, earaches, tinitus and balance problems. The process also helps to balance cranial fluids, and drain the lymphatic system. Please note that it is recommended that a trained practitioner should carry out this process for you, or at least learn the technique.

(See also: EAR CANDLING/, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

HUMOR THERAPY

Therapeutic humor is defined as any intervention that promotes health and wellness by stimulating a playful discovery, expression or appreciation of the incongruity of life's situations. This intervention may enhance health as a complementary treatment of illness to facilitate healing or coping, whether physical, emotional, cognitive, social, or spiritual.

The earliest historical reference to humor therapy is from the fourteenth century, when French surgeon Henri de Mondeville wrote, "Let the surgeon take care to regulate the whole regimen of the patient's life for joy and happiness, allowing his relatives and special friends to cheer him, and by having someone tell him jokes."

Children love humor and, even when they are the ones who are ill, often say things to cheer their parents.

(See also: HUMOR THERAPY, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Energy: Therapeutic Touch

Therapeutic touch is a method that claims to assist the natural healing process by redirecting and rebalancing the energy fields within the body.

A practitioner places his or her hands on or close to the body of the patient and redistributes the patient's energy or transmits his or her own energy as appropriate. Stories of the use of touch as a healing method can be found in the Bible, in Greek mythology and Eastern philosophy, in Native American myths, and in the "royal touch" of the kings in medieval Europe. Therapeutic touch was developed and named in 1972 by Dolores Krieger, a nursing professor at New York University.

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is currently taught worldwide to anyone who is interested in learning the technique. As of 1998, an estimated 100,000 people around the world have been trained in Therapeutic Touch, 43,000 of those persons are health care professionals, many of whom use Therapeutic Touch in conjunction with traditional medicine, as well as osteopathic, chiropractic, naturopathic, and homeopathic therapies (The Gale Encyclopedia of Complementary Medicine). http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0001/2603000124/p1/article.jhtml

(See also: Therapeutic Touch, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ACU-YOGA

Acu-Yoga is a system of exercises integrating the knowledge of two holistic methods of health maintenance - acupressure and yoga. Both relax muscular tension and balance the vital life forces of the body.

Yoga does this through controlling the breath while holding the body in certain postures. Acupressure does this by directly manipulating body energy through a system of points and meridians.

Each Acu-Yoga posture naturally presses and stretches certain nerves, muscles, and acupressure points, awakening the meridians and releasing the tension in the points so that energy (chi) can circulate freely. This energy is the source of all life, and its flow is the key to radiant health. The process balances the body and stimulates it to heal itself.

(See also: ACU-YOGA, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapy is the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals who have health or educational problems.

The idea of music as a healing influence that can affect health and behavior is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to veterans' hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients' physical and emotional improvements in response to music led the doctors and nurses to request that hospitals hire musicians. 

For children, illness and hospitalizations disrupt normal living patterns, school and important social activities. Music therapy helps to reduce this disruption by providing sensitive, creative interventions--including playing instruments and writing songs. These interventions also offer acute and chronically ill children the chance to learn, express themselves, interact with family and peers and, simply, relax and enjoy themselves. Even parents and siblings can join the fun and experience the benefits. The power of music is documented: Studies have shown that music can influence heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, pain perception, physical health and well-being. Music is loved by young and old.

(See also: MUSIC THERAPY, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

CHI KUNG (QI GONG)

Or “Energy Control,” dates back to over 4,000 years, and is the art of developing and utilizing universal energy that is necessary for good health, vitality, mind expansion and spiritual development. It is the sacred art of self-healing through the practice and experience of working and being the life force energy. There are many varieties and different forms of this powerful form of self-healing, and raising of consciousness, which are an integral part of Chinese medicine, even to this day. Being such an ancient practice, it was developed in the monasteries, and was a major contributor to a number of the martial arts of today. It is a means by which one can balance the Qi, or Chi, or Life Force Energy, within the body, mind and spirit, to attain and maintain good health, calmness, and raise consciousness. It can be seen as meditation in motion, using postures, physical movements, and breathing, all in a very gentle fashion. When the Qi is developed remarkable things happen. You only have to read about the Qi Gong Masters, of whom such a guiding light, is Yan Xin, and many others. Their abilities and healing attributes are phenomenal.

(See also: CHI KUNG, QI GONG, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

LABYRINTHS

A labyrinth (pronounced LAB-ear-inth) is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to one's own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. A labyrinth is an archetype with which one can have a direct experience. People can walk it. It is a metaphor for life's journey. It is a symbol that creates a sacred space and place and takes one out of the ego to "That Which Is Within." 

People often confuse the words "labyrinth" and "maze", thinking they are the same. A maze is like a puzzle to be solved. It has twists, turns, and blind alleys. It is a left-brain task that requires logical, sequential, analytical activity to find the correct path into the maze and out. A labyrinth, however, has only one path and one course. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. A Labyrinth's path leads one on a circuitous path to the center and out again. 

Many are attracted to the labyrinth as a healing tool because it deepens self-knowledge and empowers creativity. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives insight into the life journey. It calms those in the throes of transition, and helps us to see life in the context of a path. It urges actions and stirs creative fires. To those who are in sorrow, it gives solace and peace. The walk is different for everyone, as they bring only themselves to the labyrinth. Each person comes in uniqueness, and often departs with a greater sense of connectedness. All age levels can experience the labyrinth. Parents can carry babies, and caregivers can assist those in wheelchairs.

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

Cayce/Reilly massage (Cayce/Reilly approach to massage, Cayce/Reilly method, Cayce/Reilly technique): Holistic form of massage named after psychic Edgar Cayce (see The Cayce Approach to Health and Healing) and physiotherapist Dr. Harold J. Reilly, coauthor of The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health Through Drugless Therapy A.R.E. Press, 1975). It includes energy balancing.

(See also: Cayce Reilly massage, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

cosmo-biological birth control: Subject of the Lotus Light book of the same name, by Shalila Sharamon (whose training includes holistic astrology and the Sidhi technique) and Bodo Baginski (whose training includes meridian therapy, Polarity, spiritual healing, and Touch for Health). Cosmo-biological birth control is a mode of birth control and family planning based ona interaction of personal and cosmic cycles.

(See also: Cosmo-biological birth control, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Energy: Reiki

Reiki (pronounounced RAY-kee) is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life-Force-Energy". The "Ki" (pronounced CHEE) part is the same word as Chi or Qi, the Chinese word for the energy which underlies everything. Reiki is a system for channeling that energy to someone for the purpose of healing. It was discovered by Dr. Usui, said to be a teacher or perhaps dean of a Christian school in Japan, in the late 1800's. 

The Reiki practices of today are said to have originated in Japan in a clinic headed by Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a Naval Commander in the Naval Reserve. Today there is little or no hard evidence of Reiki from before World War II. All of the histories of Reiki come from the verbal stories passed on from Mrs. Takata. With roots in Japan prior to World War II, much of the documentation was lost. Apparently the survivors of the war lost the resources allowing them to continue the Reiki clinic and perhaps stopped practicing Reiki. If it were not for Mrs. Takata learning Reiki before the war and bringing it to America, this healing technique could well have been lost to the world.

(Some sources say that Dr. Usui was Buddhist and that the claim he was dean of a Christian school was made by Mrs. Takata to make Reiki more acceptable to Christians in America.)

In its simplest form using Reiki is simply the practitioner placing his/her hands on the recipient with the intent of bringing healing, and willing for Reiki energy to flow. There is a set of traditionally taught hand positions which give good coverage over the recipients entire body. It is not necessary to follow those positions, they are merely taught as a starting position from which the practitioner can learn. If there is a specific area of concern, the practitioner can keep his/her hands right there for as long as necessary.

According to Reiki healers there are four unique qualities that identify energy healing techniques as Reiki:

1. The ability to do Reiki comes from receiving an attunement, rather than developing the ability over time though the use of meditation or other exercises. 

2. All Reiki techniques are part of a lineage. This means that the technique has been passed on from teacher to student through an attunement process starting with the one who first channeled the technique. 

3. Reiki does not require that one guide the energy with the mind, as it is guided by the higher power and knows where to go and how to act all on its own. 

4. Because of this, Reiki can do no harm.

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

JOURNALING THERAPY

Journaling therapy is the purposeful and intentional use of a written record of one's own thoughts and feelings to assist in psychological healing and personal growth. It is often used as a tool in many psychotherapy and recovery programs. Healthcare practitioners find that written expression fills a very important role in the therapeutic process by providing a means for emotional expression in circumstances where interpersonal communication is not possible or may not be desired. 

People have kept journals and diaries to record dreams, memories, and thoughts since ancient times. The expression of emotions has long held a central role in the study and practice of psychology. Throughout history, psychologists have advocated the expression of emotions as essential for good mental and physical health.

Since the early 1980s, interest in this topic has resulted in numerous research studies investigating the health benefits of expressive writing. Even children benefit from writing down their experiences and how they feel about what is happening. They have the opportunity to say things in their personal journal that they would prefer not to share with their parents or health care workers at certain times during their illness.

(See also: JOURNALING THERAPY, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

KRIYA MASSAGE

Kriya Massage, developed by Kamala Renner in 1970, is different from any traditional bodywork training because of the emphasis on the intuitive aspect by the practitioner in flowing with the “Kriya” movement while performing the massage. Kriya is defined as spontaneous energy movement.

Kriya Massage is an art form that integrates the universal, life-affirming flow of energy between the practitioner and client, with any classical massage techniques integrated into the dance.

Kriya Massage is a bodywork dance with the individual creating her own style in harmony with four universal forces. The strokes and techniques used in Kriya Massage are a combination of energy work, Swedish, neuromuscular, and somato-emotional release work done in a connected smooth pattern.

The experience of a Kriya Massage is one of stepping out of time and space as a means of taking inventory of one’s condition, then allowing the subconscious to shift and adjust programmed responses to life. The healing quality of Kriya Massage is accomplished by transforming attitudes. Giving, as well as receiving, a Kriya Massage is a regenerating experience. (Adapted from Holistic Health Directory.)

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

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)

Energy: Qigong

The word Qigong (pronounced CHEE-gung) is a combination of two ideas: "Qi" means air, breath of life, or vital energy of the body, and "gong" means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement.

The art of Qigong consists primarily of meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises. Practitioners of Qigong develop an awareness of Qi sensations (energy) in their bodies and use their minds to guide the Qi. When the practitioners achieve a sufficient skill level (master), they can direct or emit external Qi for the purpose of healing others. 

Qigong has evolved from many sources throughout the East. Although China is seen today as being the origin of both ancient and modern Qigong, all of the Asian countries have histories filled with examples of these traditional forms and styles of Qigong. From India, monks traveling to China thousands of years ago introduced many methods into the Chinese culture.

From Buddhist traditions, Qigong methods promoted a sense of acceptance and ways of harmonizing life as a reflection of the greater unfolding of one's purpose in the world. Taoist (DOW-ist) Buddhist monks often prefer forms of Qigong that help achieve balance and promote longevity as a way of prolonging life and achieving optimum health. From the martial arts world, Qigong is used to develop both internal and external strength for fighting and self-development.

The emerging field of Chinese medical Qigong is rapidly spreading throughout the world and utilizes the energy stored in and transmitted through the healer to aid in the treatment of many acute and chronic diseases. This form is referred to as Qi-emission.

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

REIKI:

·      Discovered and propounded by Dr.Mikao Usui in 1800, it is the ancient Japanese art of healing by the 'laying on of hands' - Reiki meaning universal energy in Japanese.

·      A powerful and spiritual experimental technique that opens up the vision, heart, palm chakras, third eye and other psychic abilities.

·      Providing holistic, positive energy without any side effects, it can be undergone independently or with other medical treatments.

·      Treating the root-cause of a disease, it enhances the body's natural ability to heal itself. And maintains equilibrium of both body and mind to promote complete relaxation, thereby raising the life-force energy.

·      The therapist first makes a body-scan of the seven chakras to determine individual needs. Actual therapy follows when the universal energy flows through the therapist into the client.

The various stages in the entire process being:

THE FIRST DEGREE STAGE

This is the primary stage where you get attuned as the universal energy activates in you through transmission for approximately four hours over some days. When the attunement is established, information is given on four levels of energy - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. At this stage, you are opened up to a higher level of universal resonance that can be ventured up to unlimited heights through suggested use and applications.

THE SECOND DEGREE STAGE

Slightly more advanced, great changes in the energy levels are achieved here and symbols are introduced to unlock the chakras that will improve your health.

THE THIRD DEGREE STAGE

In this most advanced and powerful stage you are taught the intricate process of passing on the reiki energy and ways of enhancing personal growth, transformation and increased enlightenment.

(See also: REIKI, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Holism, especially in its metaphysical varieties, is controversial. Many scientists and philosophers regard some of these claims as unfalsifiable or less meaningful than holism's proponents do. Others see them as incorrect or as pseudoscience. Some forms, however, like epistemological and confirmation holism, are mainstream ideas in contemporary philosophy. Similarly mainstream, complexity theory (sometimes referred to as "complexity science", such as at the Santa Fe Institute), comprises a holistic, 'top-down' approach towards unders ...

See also:

Holism, Holism - Responses to holism, Holism - Holistic healing

Read more here: » Holism: Encyclopedia II - Holism - Responses to holism

Holism, especially in its metaphysical varieties, is controversial. Many scientists and philosophers regard some of these claims as unfalsifiable or less meaningful than holism's proponents do. Others see them as incorrect or as pseudoscience. Some forms, however, like epistemological and confirmation holism, are mainstream ideas in contemporary philosophy. Similarly mainstream, complexity theory (sometimes referred to as "complexity science", such as at the Santa Fe Institute), comprises a holistic, 'top-down' approach towards unders ...

See also:

Holism, Holism - Holism in sociology, Holism - Responses to holism, Holism - Holism in science, Holism - Holistic healing

Read more here: » Holism: Encyclopedia II - Holism - Responses to holism

TRADITIONAL HEALING: Any practice of holistic medicine in the tradition of a specific culture or tribe.

(See also: TRADITIONAL HEALING, Pagan Organisations, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary, Wicca, )