Acupressure: Based on the principles of acupuncture, this ancient
Chinese technique involves the use of finger pressure on specific points along
the body to treat ailments such as tension, stress, aches, pains, cramps or
arthritis.
Acupuncture: Fine needles are inserted at specific points to
stimulate, disperse and regulate the flow of chi, or vital energy, and restore a
healthy energy balance.
Adjustment: In chiropractic, a small controlled thrust that moves a
joint slightly beyond its normal range of motion.
Alexander Technique: F. Matthias Alexander created the method after
concluding that bad posture was responsible for his own chronic voice loss.
Practitioners use gentle hands-on guidance, verbal instruction, teach simple,
efficient ways of moving as a means of improving balance, posture, coordination
and to relieve tension and pain.
Allopathy: The treatment of disease by creating conditions which are
opposite or hostile to the conditions resulting from the disease itself; from
Greek roots meaning other and disease. Drugs and surgery are allopathic
treatments. The term is sometimes used to refer to conventional Western medicine
to contrast it with alternative therapies, particularly homeopathy, which is
based on like curing like.
Alternative Health: T he belief that the body is fully capable of
ridding itself of any and all disease. Practitioners and followers of
Alternative health apply this belief by increasing the health of the body. If
disease is a condition of reduced health then any action which increases health
will necessarily reduce disease. By broadly working to improve the well-being of
an individual the body becomes strengthened and the disease is cast off. This is
why there are all manner of alternative health practices.
Amma Therapy: System of bodywork therapy that uses traditional
oriental medical principles for assessing and evaluating imbalances in the
energetic system. It aims to restore, promote and maintain optimum health
through the treatment of the physical body, bio-energy and emotions. Used for a
wide range of conditions.
Ancestor Worship: Spritualized propitiation and invocation of dead
kin, based on the belief that spirits influence the fate of the living. This is
a widespread ancient practice.
Animism: Belief that a spirit or force resides in every animate and
inanimate object, every dream and idea, giving individuality to each. The
related Polynesian concept of mana holds that the spirit in all things is
responsible for good and evil.
Applied Kinesiology: This is a diagnostic therapy which was developed
in the 1960s by a chiropractor named George Goodheart. Applied kinesiology
posits that organ or gland dysfunctions show up as weaknesses in certain
muscles. Using gentle pressure, applied kinesiologists test muscle strength to
identify health problems and nutritional deficiencies. After diagnosis,
treatment may involve exercises to strengthen a muscle, hands-on manipulation of
the muscles and bones, and vitamin or mineral supplements.
Aromatherapy: Uses essential oils from flowers, trees, roots, herbs,
berries and fruits, to treat emotional disorders such as stress and anxiety as
well as a wide range of other ailments and to promote physical, mental and
emotional wellness. Oils can be massaged into the skin in a diluted form,
inhaled, placed in baths, or applied on and around the body. Aromatherapy is
often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology,
herbology, chiropractic and other holistic healing.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Practiced in India for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic
tradition holds that illness is a state of imbalance among the body’s systems
and can be detected through such diagnostic procedures as reading the pulse and
observing the tongue. Nutritional counseling, massage, natural medications,
meditation and other modalities are used to address a spectrum of ailments, from
allergies to AIDS.
