Acupuncture: Thin, solid, sterile stainless-steel needles are inserted into specific points to stimulate the body’s natural energy (Qi or Chi). In 1997, the National Institutes of Health officially recognized acupuncture as an effective treatment for pain and nausea.

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

Aromatherapy – Pure essential oils are used to treat stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic, and other methods of holistic healing.

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

Biofeedback: Using a biofeedback machine, practitioners teach patients how to control and change such autonomic body functions as blood pressure, heart rate, circulation, digestion, and perspiration. Through monitoring “feedback” using auditory or visual cues, users extend their understanding of physiological functioning far past the normal five senses.

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

Bodywork: A general term used to describe any type of manual, manipulative healing modality that aims to restore health of body mind and spirit. Some examples include massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy.

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

Midwives: Midwives work with women so they can experience a healthy pregnancy and a safe natural childbirth as well as providing necessary education and follow-up care. Licensed midwives or nurse-midwives receive extensive training in gynecology, fetus development, obstetrical complications, nutritional assessment, counseling, community health, family planning, various forms of delivery management, and other issues surrounding pregnancy and birth.

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

(PACE): Physical, Atomic, Cellular, Evolution. A special kind of subtle energy alignment that helps you become more conscious of light and love in your physical body, and in other structures and processes of your being

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

Pathwork: Pathwork refers to a body of channeled material from Eva Pierrakos that offers direct experience of our Divine core. It provides a framework for stripping away illusions about ourselves, others and the nature of reality; for dissolving our defenses against love, change and commitment; and for assuming full responsibility for our actions, thoughts and circumstances.

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

Pilates: The Pilates Method is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. It is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by extensively trained teachers.

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

Psychic: Being sensitive to energy emanating from guides such as angels, or a higher self. The ability to hear, see, feel energy from a source other than self.

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

Psychotherapy: Usually conducted by a trained, certified, or licensed therapist, psychotherapy is the treatment of individuals with emotional problems, behavioral problems, or mental illness primarily through the use of psychological techniques. These techniques are designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth.

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

Reiki: A scientific method which Practitioners use light hand placements to activate and balance the life-force energy (also known as chi [“chee”] or prana]. Reiki can be used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical pain.

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

Reflexology: Based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the entire body. The practitioner uses fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to reflex zones to help the self-healing process. Some of the benefits are the relief of pain in the neck, shoulder and lower back, to relief of allergic reactions, headaches, upset stomach and colon discomfort.

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

Rolfers: Developed by Ida Rolf, this system of body restructuring and movement education works with gravity to realign the body. Rolfers often focus bodywork on the myofascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, to release tension.

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

Shamanism: This ancient method of healing was practiced by healers (shamans). Combining ancient and modern healing/wisdom practices, to develop inter-dimensional consciousness (“walking between the worlds”), spirit helpers, power animals, and ritual, “journeying” for soulful wholeness.

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

Shiatsu: Ancient form of acupressure, Practitioners apply rhythmic finger pressure at specific points on the body in order to stimulate chi, or vital energy. Can be used to treat stress, circulatory problems, depression, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, & bronchitis. (See acupressure)

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

Spirituality: Having the nature of spirit, soul. God, sometimes religion or a higher consciousness.

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

Tarot: Tarot is believed to have been created in Italy in the late 14th century, though theories on the origins of tarot differ widely. A tarot deck can be used for divination, meditation, self-improvement, spiritual purposes, card games or as a tool of understanding.

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

Hypnotherapy: An accepted technique in which hypnosis is used as a tool to treat a wide variety of psychological, behavioral and medically related problems. From helping people to overcome a craving for cigarettes to managing chronic pain from an illness or accident, trained hypnotherapists work with a wide variety of problems.

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

Iridology: Based on the theory that each organ of the body can be matched to a corresponding section of the iris, iridologists have mapped 90 specific areas and 180 zones thought to reveal important information about the condition of the body.

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

Kinesiology: The study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement. Also known as “muscle testing,” it can be used to determine the root cause of a condition. Practitioners view the body as an intelligent computer that knows exactly what is wrong and what is needed to restore balance. Using certain methods, a practitioner can identify the problem area and treat it effectively. It is very effective in treating sports injuries, as they are often the result of an imbalance in the muscle structure. There are several branches of Kinesiology, including Applied, Clinical and Educational.

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

Meditation: A mental technique for deep relaxation, meditation helps to focus and calm the mind. It may be used to heal the body, quiet the mind, and provide a sense of inner balance.

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

Trager: Utilizing gentle, non-intrusive, natural movements, The Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity. These patterns may have developed in response to accidents, illnesses, or any kind of physical or emotional trauma, including the stress of everyday life.

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