Kum Nye (Kum Nye relaxation, Kum Nye relaxation system of self healing): Holistic mode of self-healing developed by Tarthang Tulku and based on Tibetan medicine and Buddhist mind-body disciplines. It involves breathing exercises, self-massage, slow movements, and visualization. Its theory posits energy centers (e.g., the head center and the heart center) and energy blockages (e.g., sexual blockages). Practicing Kum Nye vitalizes the senses and conduces to alertness and limberness.

(See also: Kum Nye, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

2005-04-23

Osteopathic Medicine

Today, the training of M.D.'s and Osteopaths (D.O.'s) is strikingly similar, but Osteopathic is a holistic discipline which emphasizes prevention and the individual, not just disease. Osteopath philosophy is based on the belief that the body cures itself, and doctors should see the relationship between structure and function, with a special emphasis on the musculo-skeletal system. Osteopaths are licensed to adjust the bones of the body, and manipulate the body, and they may also prescribe medications, give injections, and perform surgery.

(See also: Osteopathic Medicine, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

Ayurvedic medicine: A part of the East Indian system of healing that includes yoga, Ayurvedic tradition treats illness as an imbalance among the body’s systems. This practice addresses an individual’s unique constitution using nutrition counseling, herbal therapies, rubbing oils, massage, meditation, yoga and lifestyle changes.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An ancient healing system that views the body as an integrated whole, so problems in one area are seen to affect other areas. It bases diagnosis on an individual’s pattern of symptoms and signs such as pulse, and skin and tongue condition. Therapies like acupuncture and herbal remedies are used to rebalance the forces within the body.

(See also: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Expressive arts: The use of visual art, crafts, song, dance, movement and other forms of expression to foster personal insights and to access one’s inner healing resources. Instructors help clients break free of rigid, habitual thoughts or patterns in order to discover increased mental understanding, physical awareness and/or greater mobility.

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

Integrative bodywork: A variety of massage therapies, bodywork techniques and energy therapies used to assist the healing process. Techniques include Swedish, Thai, deep tissue and lymphatic massage therapies; CranialSacral, breathwork and Feldenkrais, bodywork techniques; Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Jin Shin Jitzu energy therapies.

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

Integrative medicine: Combines conventional Western medicine, which primarily investigates and treats physical symptoms, with complementary practices, which also include the inner healing processes of mind and spirit. Treatment plans offer personalized approaches, e.g. combining surgery and medications with imagery, nutritional supplements and lifestyle counseling.

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

Meditation: A range of practices that involve training one’s attention or awareness so that body and mind can be brought into greater harmony. The stilling of one’s thoughts in a variety of practices such as sitting or walking mindfully, which stimulates the “relaxation response” and supports healing. Goals range from reducing stress or lowering blood pressure to achieving a mystical sense of oneness with a higher power.

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

Reiki: A method of Japanese spiritual healing that aims to strengthen a person’s absorption of universal life energy. Practitioners channel Chi to the patient to rebalance and replenish areas where it is depleted.

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

Therapeutic Touch: Based on the idea that energy extends beyond the skin into a field surrounding and interpenetrating the body. This therapy aims to re-establish proper energy flow, which allows the body’s innate healing abilities to take over. This technique is used increasingly by nurses to help relieve pain and stress, for example.

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

SHAMAN

among tribal peoples, a magician, medium, or healer who owes his powers to mystical communion with the spirit world. Characteristically, a shaman goes into auto-hypnotic trances, during which he contacts spirits. Shamans are found among the Siberians, Eskimos, Native American tribes, in S.E. Asia, and in Oceania. There is also now a development of shamanic healers and practitioners in North America. (See Spiritual/Shamanic Healing.)

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

Orthopractic: Holistic healing approach promoted by Anthony Cimino, N.D., Ph.D., founder of the Long Island Biotherapy Center, in Syosset, New York.

It embraces acupressure, Dianetics, hypnotherapy, muscle testing (see above), nutritional counseling, reflexology, and Neuro-Communication (Neuro-Communication Systems). Neuro-Communication, according to a Biotherapy Center leaflet, is a process discovered by Cimino that asserts to better the nervous system through the use of special words and body movement.

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

2005-04-23

Labyrinth: An ancient mystical tradition for walking meditation with varied configurations of winding paths, all of which lead to the center and back out again. The idea is to trust the path and to relinquish control. The process of slowing down and reflecting is said to foster insight, clarity and peace of mind.

(See also: Labyrinth, Alternative Health, 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)

Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese technique based on the belief that life energy flows through channels in the body known as meridians. Thin, solid needles are inserted at “reflex points” along these meridians to stimulate, disperse, and/or regulate the flow of this “chi.” The goal is to restore a healthful energetic balance as well as to treat acute, chronic, and degenerative conditions.

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

Alternative medicine: This term was originally coined to describe health care approaches not taught in medical schools. It has been replaced with “complementary medicine” since Americans rarely use these approaches to the exclusion of Western, conventional medicine. Integrative medicine refers to the proactive, deliberate combination of conventional and complementary therapies.

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

Aromatherapy: The therapeutic use of fragrances and “essential oils” (the volatile oils distilled from plants), to improve the health and balance of body, mind and soul. For example, this technique is used to relax the nervous system, to stimulate circulation, lift depression, reduce inflammation and ease aches and pains.

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

Complementary medicine: Various “alternative” practices such as meditation, homeopathy, massage, etc., that are not usually considered part of traditional Western medicine. They are most often used in conjunction with (“complementing”) conventional treatments such as surgery and drugs. This approach also focuses on developing a strong relationship of trust and care between patient and caregiver. Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional and complementary medicine.

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

CranialSacral Therapy: Work to balance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to restore optimum functioning to the central nervous system, and ultimately to the entire body. The practitioner uses gentle compressions to realign bones and soft tissue in skull, face, vertebral column and sacrum. This technique is used to relieve headaches, back pain, stress.

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

Guided imagery: An interactive process with a therapist in which patients evoke their own images and feelings as a way of relaxing, focusing their attention and gaining insights into their health concerns. It is used to augment treatment for a range of ailments from chronic stress and high blood pressure to major diseases like AIDS and cancer.

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