Chinese Herbalism: One element of Traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as an integrated whole of body, mind and spirit. Medicinal herbs derived from plants and animals are used to rebalance the life energy within the body.

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

Yoga: A mind-body practice for physical fitness, mental wellness and spiritual renewal, based on the practice of postures known as asanas, breathing and meditation. Classes help participants reduce stress, improve circulation and balance, relax deeply and feel more energized

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

Massage therapy: General term for a range of manual approaches to enhance relaxation, elevate mood, reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and heighten immune responses. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person’s muscles and other soft or connective tissue.

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

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A program based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Participants learn methods such as breathing, gentle yoga stretches, group discussion and support to reduce physical, emotional and spiritual stresses.

(See also: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Nutrition therapy: Counseling on a broad range of topics from food groups and categories to allergies and lifestyle change to vitamins and herbal supplements.

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

T’ai Chi: An ancient Chinese meditative and martial art – often referred to as “meditation in motion” – that promotes mental and spiritual development. It involves slow movements and breathing to improve balance, muscle control, breath awareness and concentration. Used to treat back problems, stress, cancer and other chronic conditions.

(See also: T’ai Chi, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

HYPNOSIS

although the condition resembles normal sleep, scientists have found that the brain wave patterns of hypnotized subjects are much closer to the patterns of deep relaxation.

Hypnosis is now generally viewed as a form of attentive, receptive, highly focused concentration in which external events are omitted or disregarded. Widely used by surgeons, dentists, and psychotherapists to relieve anxiety or as an anesthetic. Used to relax a patient, reduce resistance to therapy, facilitate memory, to address stopping smoking, eating less, or fighting fears.

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

JIN SHIN DO

developed by a psychotherapist, it combines acupressure, Taoist yogic breathing and Reichian segmental theory (addresses how emotional tension affects the physical body) with the goal of releasing physical & emotional tension and armoring. Aims to promote a state in which the patient can address the emotional factors that underlie various physical conditions.

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

KINESIOLOGY

The study of muscles and their movement. Applied kinesiology is a system that uses muscle testing procedures, in conjunction with standard methods of diagnosis, to gain information about a patient’s overall state of health. Practitioners analyze muscle function, posture, gait and other structural factors in addition to inquiring about lifestyle factors that may be contributing to a health-related problem.

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

Macrobiotics

A lifestyle involving an awareness that we are connected to nature, and therefore, what is best for our physical bodies are those things from the earth. This includes special ways of selecting, preparing and eating organically grown, whole, and mostly vegetarian foods to maximize the energy derived from their consumption.

The diet consists of mostly a variety of grains, beans, vegetables, sea vegetables, Japanese condiments, and a little fish and seafood. The lifestyle stresses the importance of fresh air, breathing, moderate exercise, balance in life, use of natural products in the home and on the skin, and orderliness and organization in all things.

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

Craniosacral Therapy

The craniosacral therapist focuses on releasing restrictions of the Cranial sutures and the underlying membranes through gentle hands-on contact with the bones of the skull. Carniosacral Therapy is gaining acceptance by health professionals worldwide as a successful treatment modality to improve overall body functioning. And treat a range of conditions, from headaches and ear infections, to stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cerebral Palsy. It has been especially successful in treating newborns and infants for common conditions such as earaches, sinus congestion, vomiting, irritability, and hyperactivity.

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

ENERGY FIELD WORK

Practitioners look for weaknesses in the energy field in and around the clients body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance. Energy channeled through the practitioner is directed to strengthen the body’s natural defenses and help the client’s physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual state.

(See also: ENERGY FIELD WORK, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

ENZYME THERAPY

a form of therapy that employs supplements of plant and animal enzymes to improve digestive function and other conditions. During digestion, the body’s own digestive enzymes are not the only ones at work; the enzymes present in raw fruits and vegetables also contribute to the breakdown of food in the stomach.

Enzyme therapy advocates supplementation to reduce the work that the body has to do, and because plant enzymes are destroyed in cooking. Since enzymes can’t be synthetically manufactured, supplements are derived from plants or from animal tissues. Some practitioners inject liquid enzymes to treat cancer and multiple sclerosis. Enzyme supplements are available over the counter, singly or in combination, in capsule, tablet, powder, and liquid form.

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

FLOWER ESSENCES

are intended to alleviate negative emotional states that may contribute to illness or hinder personal growth. Drops of a solution infused with the captured essence of a flower are placed under the tongue or in a beverage. The appropriate essences are chosen, focusing on the clients emotional state rather than on a particular physical condition.

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