Kaiser Permanente is excited to announce its newest Center for Complementary Medicine (CCM) location right here in Colorado Springs, which opened in May 2017. The mission of the CCM is to improve lives by restoring mind and body health; and the vision is to integrate complementary medicine into the health care system to improve clinical outcomes. There are nine Kaiser Permanente CCM locations throughout Colorado offering a variety of services, including chiropractic, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and mind-body classes. The Colorado Springs location will focus on chiropractic care.

CCM is open to everyone, you do not have to be a Kaiser Permanente member to receive chiropractic treatment. Whether or not you are a member, you will receive the same high-quality care. If you are a patient of a Kaiser Permanente physician, CCM is part of Kaiser Permanente's integrated delivery system, which means you will continue to receive coordinated care from your entire Kaiser Permanente team. Your complementary medicine practitioner will be able to access your electronic medical record if youre a Kaiser Permanente member to learn your health history and communicate with your primary care physician and any specialists you may be working with.

Patrick Noel, DC, is a chiropractor with Kaiser Permanentes CCM. I was an athlete in college, and a sports injury to my shoulder was what inspired me to get into chiropractic, said Noel, who has been practicing for nearly 20 years. I tried several different approaches to remedy the issue, which didnt work, and finally went to a chiropractor in town. I was healed almost immediately and back at it again on the field.

For the first five years of his career, Noel focused almost exclusively on sports medicine. He then shifted his focus workers compensation for about 10 years. He now sees a wide range of patients at Kaiser Permanentes Briargate Offices as a general chiropractor.

I would say about 80-percent of my patients come in with back problems, neck problems or headaches though some do have sports-related injuries like tennis elbow, knee tendonitis, sprained ankles or something of that nature, Noel said. I believe most back or neck problems are cumulative, meaning the spine becomes tighter and tighter over time before revealing the problem. My job is to restore its function and get the body to heal itself.

A visit with Noel often begins with a consult and then a massage using a tool that relaxes the patients muscles and stimulates blood flow. He then moves onto manual manipulation to get the affected joints moving. He often introduces patients to different exercises they can perform at home to continue the healing momentum. Some patients may even benefit from taking a supplement that can aid in the healing process. Most patients will come twice a week for up to 2-8 weeks, depending on the severity of the issue.

Chiropractic was founded back in 1895 not on pain relief, but on staying healthy, Noel said. The founder of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer, concluded that the worse shape your spine is in, the unhealthier you will be.

Most patients feel significantly better when leaving the office though the relief may be temporary at first since it takes time to condition the joints and muscles to stay loose. Some unexpected benefits of chiropractic may include improved breathing capacity, improved digestion and better balance. In fact, students have been able to show that adjusting a patients neck increases peripheral vision temporarily because of nerves being stimulated.

I get the opportunity to treat a lot of patients, and I get to even help some avoid more aggressive procedures, said Noel. Chiropractors are often the last resort before a surgical consult, and at times we are able to prevent many back and other surgeries.

Chiropractic was founded on the bodys innate ability to heal, combating stress and inflammation that usually prohibits this healing process. Instead of masking symptoms, chiropractic seeks to fix the mechanical issue, allowing the immune system, organs, muscles and joints to be restored to health.

My job is to prevent arthritis in patients, when possible. If I can keep the bones moving, I can keep them from calcifying and degenerating. I dont fix anything, I restore the body so that it can heal itself, he said.

Part of what attracted Noel to Kaiser Permanente is its focus on preventative medicine and the vision of integrating alternative medicine into mainstream allopathic medicine.

There is a terrific need in this area, and here Kaiser Permanente does a great job at intertwining holistic medicine and western medicine, leading the way to a more preventative, patient-centered care model, he said.

Patrick Noel, DC, is currently accepting new patients. The Kaiser Permanente Center for Complimentary Medicine is open to the public you do not have to be a Kaiser Permanente member to receive treatment.

- Patrick Noel, DC, is a chiropractor practicing at the Kaiser Permanentes Briargate Medical Offices located at 4105 Briargate Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. To learn more about howthey can help your family thrive, visit kp.orgor call 1-888-681-7878.

To learn more about Kaiser Permanente health care and insurance coverage to help your family thrive, visit kp.orgor call 1-888-681-7878.

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Patrick Noel, DC: Restoring the body's innate ability to heal through chiropractic care - Colorado Springs Gazette

For Jade Fang, her profession is a real gift.

Born in Taiwan, Fang is a second-generation acupuncturist who followed her parents footsteps and has been helping people heal in Winona for almost a decade.

Fang hasnt always been around the Midwest. When she was 6, she moved to Florida from Taiwan and grew up there, watching her mom curing people at her acupuncture clinic. By being exposed to the techniques from her family, she decided to go into the same field as well.

She then attended college and kept pursuing her education goal through a master program in acupuncture at the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine. Afterwards, she took up an internship in Shanghai that gave her the practical knowledge she needed to start her own business.

In 2009, love brought her to Minnesota, and Fang opened up her acupuncture clinic in downtown Winona.

I was scared at first, Fang said. It wasnt easy to move from Shanghai to Minnesota.

At her clinic, Fang wants to make sure her patients experience complete relaxation in a cozy and warm environment. Her meditation room features a welcoming space that provides enough seats for a group of people.

As the clients walk in, she turns on healing music and asks them to point out the location of their swelling. She then inserts a few needles in a patients ear, calf or knee, asks them to lie on the chair and relax for 20 to 25 minutes.

To relieve pain, Fang has a unique style of acupuncture that consists in placing the needles on the opposite side of the swelling.

Community member Betty Dennis said she was surprised Fang would insert the needles on the opposite side of her calf. She said she had acute back problems, and Jade has helped her make remarkable progress over time. Before trying acupuncture, she could not vacuum or dance with her husband, but she is now able to do so, with small movements.

I feel refreshed, Dennis said. This is the place to come.

While Dennis visited Jade for back problems, community member Rita Hanson went in Jades clinic the first time in 2010, when she had sciatica. Hanson said she used the clinics services frequently and felt a lot better. During the first treatment, she recalled falling asleep from the deep relaxation her body was experiencing.

At the end of each session, I have much more energy for the rest of the day, Hanson said.

Fang said she considers her duties to be different from a doctors. While a doctor prescribes a medication for a patient, she provides the treatment right away. Most people will relax no matter their pain or swelling.

Its like a deep meditation, Fang said. When patients leave, they are immediately calmer; its instant gratification.

For Julie Johnston, acupuncture became an answer to her hand injury. Before coming across Fangs clinic, she used to drive to La Crosse for an expensive private session, and would not sit on the chair long enough to feel relaxed. Fangs technique saved her situation when any other option was working. Treatment after treatment, she healed slowly and was able to use her hand again.

It would surprise me because the swelling would go down, Johnston said.

At the end of her sessions, Fang said people heal in different ways, and their experience is very personalized. Through her technique, she can cure people of all ages for allergies, headaches, dizziness, asthma, colds, and other illnesses. Usually, those who walk in with anxiety or depression, benefit a lot from a group setting, she said.

However, progress is gradual.

Its not a miracle cure. It works with your body and its very gentle, Fang said.

Dennis, Hanson and Johnston said Fangs clinic is very affordable for them; one of the reasons they have been able to visit her many times and heal gradually.

Some acupuncturists choose individual acupuncture, but Fang calls her style a community acupuncture, aimed to make her service more accessible and easier for the community. Fang is also a member of Peoples Organization of Community Acupuncture, and receives support from other acupuncturists who share the same goal as her: to work cooperatively to increase affordability and make community acupuncture as widely available as possible.

As a new alternative medicine in the Midwest, when Fang first opened up her office, she said people were afraid of its side effects and had a poor knowledge of the medicine, but then they realized how effective it could be and made her feel more accepted. Most people share with Fang that they are afraid of the needles, and she tells them they are not ejection needles, but they are applied on the outermost layer of the skin.

After I opened, there has been a lot more openness, Fang said. Its becoming more commonplace.

Today, more hospitals and clinics are starting to have their own staff acupuncturists, Fang said. Through POCA, Fang wishes to create social change in health care, as many people cannot get the health they need because they cannot afford it. Moreover, she would like to help open up and recommend even more affordable clinics in other towns, cities, and states, for those who drive far away to reach their closest clinic.

We want to be available and accessible, Fang said. We all help each other. We are like a resource.

In her community, Fangs goal is to educate people on the benefits of acupuncture and to help them understand alternative medicine is not scary, but simple and effective. Sometimes, people visit her as their last choice of treatment, but she hopes to make acupuncture part of an everyday cure.

She mentors new acupuncturists and shares with them the secrets of running a business. What she enjoyed the most as an acupuncturist in Winona has been charging a price everybody can afford, and seeing people gradually get better.

Its really meaningful work, Fang said. I feel like its a gift to do what I do.

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Healing through alternative medicine: Winona locals choose acupuncture as a cure - Winona Daily News

An editorial in Monday's Canadian Medical Association Journal is calling on the federal government to crack down on natural health products, which the author argues are poorly tested and can do patients more harm than good, compared to conventional medicines.

"They simply have to show that someone, somewhere once used this as therapy for something," Dr. Matthew Stanbrook, the journal's deputy editor, told CBC Toronto.

The editorial urges Health Canada to stop makers of natural healthproducts from claiming that the products areremedies, because they are not as rigorously tested as conventional, over-the-counter drugs.

Canadian Medical Association Journal deputy editor Dr. Matthew Stanbrook argues that natural remedies are not regulated carefully enough. (Keith Whalen/CBC News)

"The double standard perpetuated by both regulators and retailers that enables the deception of unsuspecting Canadians must end," the editorial states. "Alternative medicines with claims based on alternative facts do not deserve an alternative, easy regulatory road to market."

Supporters of alternative medicines are disputing the editorial's claims.

Shawn O'Reilly, executive director of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, said the editorial doesn't accurately reflect the standards that natural health products must meet before they can be sold to the public, which she called "robust."

Shawn O'Reilly, executive director of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, says natural health products are tested more rigorously than an editorial in the new edition of the CMAJ lets on. (CBC News)

And Mike Hannalah, a Toronto pharmacist who dispenses both traditional and naturalremedies, said no natural health product can be placed on his shelf until it has received a "natural product number" from Health Canada, which is only issued once the federal government has approved the medicine for therapeutic use.

"So to me, it's the same kind of safety measures," he told CBC Toronto. "I do feel comfortable as a practitioner, as a pharmacist, to dispense those natural health products that met those requirements."

However, the editorial states that some natural health products are allowed make claims that have not been tested by Health Canada.

Manon Bombardier is director general of natural and nonprescription health products for Health Canada. (CBC News)

"If consumers are unable to separate products with no scientific proof behind them from products supported by evidence, then we need to separate them in stores," the editorial states. "Natural health products shouldbe pulled from the shelves where they are mixed with nonprescription drug products and confined to their own separate section."

Stanbrook also wants Health Canada to be given the power to remove natural health products from shelves a power it currently doesn't have.

Health Canada is currently reviewing the regulations that govern the sale of self-care products, including natural remedies. At a recent stop in Toronto, Manon Bombardier, Health Canada's director general of natural and nonprescription health products, said under the current rules, she has no authority to remove from shelves a natural remedy that proves to be harming people.

"We need to change that," she said. "Health Canada has the power to recall a bag of chips, but does not have the power to to recall an unsafe natural health product."

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Medical journal takes aim at natural remedies - CBC.ca

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Q:Can you name a few Alternative Medicine Schools?

A:Yes. There are various accredited Alternative Medicine Schools. These include Bastyr University, Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, Ayurvedic Institute, Academy of Natural Therapies, Clayton College of Natural Health, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, John F. Kennedy University - Graduate School for Holistic Studies, Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and California College of Ayurveda.

Q:While searching for the best school for Alternative Medicine, I came across Bachelor of Alternative Medicine program. Can you brief me about it?

A:It is common to come across Bachelor of Alternative Medicine program while searching for best school for Alternative Medicine online, because it is one of the most sought for degree programs in the field. Some of the courses that you will get to study include, pathophysiology, intro to homeopathy: acute conditions, the maori way, botany & herbal cultivation, the pacific way and materia medica.

Q:While searching for online Chinese Medicine training programs, I came across Bachelor of Chinese Medicine program. Can you tell me the contents of this program?

A:Among a number of online Chinese Medicine training programs, one is Bachelor of Chinese Medicine. In this four year program, individuals will get to study a number of courses. Some of these topics are CM herbal processing, acupuncture, CM dietary therapy & health maintenance, CM clinical studies, CM pharmacology, musculature traumatology and CM ear, eye, nose, throat and pediatrics.

Q:Do alternative medicine colleges offer online degrees?

A:Yes there are plenty of alternative medicine colleges that offer online degrees. If you enroll in an online program there are several advantages that come with it. To begin with online students can study from the comfort of their homes as they do not have to show up for classes.

Q:What will I learn in holistic medicine schools?

A:Most of the alternative medicine schools offer courses that focus in particular field or modality. This will mean that you can end up studying naturopathy or herbal medicine, flower remedies or acupuncture. However it should be kept in mind that health problems cannot be solved by one particular modality. This is where holistic medicine comes in: it combines various treatments to get best results.

Q:What do the schools for alternative medicine focus on?

A:Schools for alternative medicine are concerned with studies that give knowledge of natural methods and medicines that can be used to treat patients for physical or mental problems. It may deal with homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicines as well as spiritual practices. The subjects can vary according to the nature of the program.

Q:Can I find alternative medicine schools online?

A:There are plenty of alternative medicine schools online that offer degree programs as well as diplomas and short term courses. Alternative medicine deals with traditional or herbal methods of treatment unlike medical treatments that uses drugs. You can check the subjects offered from the website of the online college and can also check the admission criteria and course duration.

Q:What are alternative medicine schools online?

A:Alternative medicine is a branch of healthcare that emphasizes on conventional medical treatments such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and Ayurveda. Students who wish to prepare for a career in alternative medicine can start off by enrolling in an alternative e medicine degree program. It is now possible to earn this degree online without having to join a campus based institute.

Q:Holistic medicine schools online are becoming very popular. Can you tell me what this academic principle is all about?

A:Holistic medication is basically a form of healing and treatment that focuses on spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of a human body. This field is also known as alternative medicine. Many colleges have now started offering specialized degree programs in this area to students who want to become a holistic doctor.

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Alternative Medicine Schools - Excite Education

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Last year, I had a few months of odd symptomsheart palpitations, insomnia, and a feeling of being over-amped, followed by intense fatigue. Finally, after some blood tests, my gynecologist whipped out her prescription pad and scribbled the name of an ancient herb. Two things about this were strange. First, the herb, ashwagandha, seemed to help. Second, my mainstream doctor in suburban Florida recommended an herb?

But my physician is not the only one dabbling outside the boundaries of conventional medicine. While many doctors remain skeptical, a recent Harvard study found that physicians had pointed more than 6 million Americans to a mind-body remedy in the previous year. And the American Hospital Association says more than a third of the nations hospitals offer integrative medicine.

We wanted to know why. So we went to top-of-the-line MDs who have given a few choice remedies the ultimate seal of approval: They use them on their own patients. We asked these highly credentialed docs, what do they use and why?

1. Guided Imagery to Speed Recovery From Surgery Gulshan K. Sethi, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Arizona Health Science Center and professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine

Why I use it: Whenever I saw [integrative medicine guru] Andrew Weil in the hall at my hospital, I never paid him any attention because I dismissed his ideas as unscientific. But when my wife developed a serious autoimmune skin problemit was like she had second-degree burns all over her bodyit was Dr. Weils prescription of plant and herbal remedies, biofeedback, and hypnosis that cured her. Once I started looking into mind-body medicine, I became intrigued by guided imagery, in which recorded suggestions or a script help you visualize something good, like your immune cells attacking a tumor.

Well-done studies show how powerful it can be for patients about to undergo procedures like the heart operations I perform. Thats because imagining yourself recovered has physical effects, including lowering your heart rate and speeding healing. Not all my patients agree to do it, but most take my suggestion seriouslyI suspect because it comes from such an unexpected source. I used guided imagery myself recently when my knee was replaced, which I believe contributed to my being able to take a short walk just hours after the operation.

How strong is the evidence? There have been only a few solid studies, but results were promising: Guided imagery cut the need for pain medication in surgical patients and allowed them to leave the hospital earlier.

Also might help: conditions worsened by stress, such as asthma or migraine.

2. Acupuncture to Treat Pain Lonnie Zeltzer, MD, director of the pediatric pain program at the Mattel Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles and professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Why I use it: People with chronic pain often experience a snowball effectthe longer the pain goes on, the harder it gets to treat. Acupuncture is one of several methods I use. We dont know exactly how it works, but it has been found to increase levels of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, and it may also deactivate parts of the brain involved with pain perception. In a small study we did, kids who had been absolutely miserable with intractable pain felt better and slept more easily after six weekly treatments. I recommend acupuncture for most pain patients, unless theyre hypersensitive to needles.

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How strong is the evidence? Research has been mixed. The Institute of Medicine said that sham acupuncture (in which a person is needled at non-acupuncture spots) worked as well as real acupuncture in some studiesbut that both appear to reduce pain.

Also might help: symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. And it may increase the chances a woman will get pregnant after in vitro fertilization.

3. Yoga for Depression and Anxiety Patricia Gerbarg, MD, psychoanalyst and assistant clinical professor at New York Medical College

Why I use it: I got interested in complementary medicine when medical treatments failed to restore my health after severe Lyme disease. Lyme affected my memory, joints, and energy, and the medicinal herb I got from my husbandan associate professor in psychiatry at Columbia University and an expert in herbs from around the worldhelped me recover. Then we heard a lecture about using yoga for depression and decided to do some research. We found that yoga breathing practices, in particular, seem effective for people who are moderately or even seriously depressed. Just inhaling and exhaling in equal measure at roughly five breaths per minute is good. We think changing the breath sends signals up the vagus nerve, telling the brain that the body is relaxed, so the brain can relax too. It quiets the fight-or-flight responses and also boosts nervous system activity put on hold when youre very stressed: the rest-and-digest responses. Theres no drug that can do that.

I still prescribe medication for patients who need it. But Ive seen people with depression, anxiety, and even PTSD, who hadnt responded to drugs or psychotherapy, improve after practicing this kind of breathing for 20 minutes twice a day. How strong is the evidence? Imaging tests show that yoga affects brain activity. Studies of yogas effect on mood are small, but one was especially tantalizing: When survivors of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia learned a version of yoga breathing, they had a 90 percent drop in depression scores, compared with no significant improvement in other survivors in the refugee camps.

Also might help: insomnia, high blood pressure, asthma, back pain.

4. Hypnosis to Calm Irritable Bowel Syndrome David Spiegel, MD, psychiatrist and professor at Stanford Medical School

Why I use it: My father, who was also a psychiatrist, was a pioneer in hypnosis, so I was curious enough to take a course in medical school. Then, while I was still a student, I hypnotized an asthmatic teenager gasping for breath, who within minutes was able to breathe almost normally. That brought about a three-day debate within the hospital administration about whether Id done something dangerous! But I realized how potent this practice is. By now Ive hypnotized some 9,000 patients, for everything from phobias (where half are cured or greatly improved after just one session) to irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. Research shows that hypnosis not only reduces the pain of IBS but also lessens diarrhea and bloating. Hypnosis is so much safer than the drugs we use for so many conditions that I believe it should be widely prescribed, although it wont work in the 20 to 30 percent of people who arent hypnotizable.

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How strong is the evidence? Its clear that hypnosis, like yoga, activates certain parts of the brain while deactivating others. Studies of the therapy for specific conditions have been too small for firm conclusions.

Also might help: phobias, weight loss, hot flashes.

5. Supplements to Help Cancer Patients Gary E. Deng, MD, internist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City

Why I use it: I grew up in China, where its taken for granted that youll use herbs and teas as medicine. But my medical education was Western based, and I firmly believe supplements have to be studied with rigorous science. When patients ask me whether supplements might help, I tell them that in most cases, we dont have definitive evidence, and some supplements can even be harmful.

Still, the research on a few is intriguing enough that a patient can consider them, under a doctors supervision. For instance, sometimes chemotherapy causes a lot of nerve damage. The pain, tingling, and numbness can get so severe that the chemo has to be stopped. But some research suggests a supplement called alpha lipoic acid [ALA] may help. For patients with digestive-tract cancer, an extract from a certain mushroom, Coriolus versicolor, seems to make the chemotherapy drugs more effective. And theres some evidence that vitamin D or green tea extract may lower the risk of developing cancer.

How strong is the evidence? Support for ALA and C. versicolor extracts is stronger than for many supplements. There are many hintsbut no proofthat vitamin D and green tea may lower the risk of some cancers.

Also might help: ALA reduces the pain from nerve damage caused by diabetes; a green tea ointment is FDA-approved for genital warts; vitamin D may help ease chronic pain.

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Alternative Medicine That Doctors Recommend | Reader's Digest

I am a cuddly atheist... I am against creationism being taught in schools because there is empirical evidence that it is a silly notion... I am passionately concerned about the rise in pseudo-science; in beliefs in alternative medicine; in creationism. The idea that somehow it is based on logic, on rational arguments, but it's not. It doesn't stand up to empirical evidence.

In the same way in medicine, alternative medicines like homeopathy or new age therapies reiki healing a lot of people buy into it and it grates against my rationalist view of the world. There is no evidence for it. It is deceitful. It is insidious. I feel passionately about living in a society with a rationalist view of the world.

I will be vocal on issues where religion impacts on people's lives in a way that I don't agree with if, for instance, in faith schools some of the teaching of religion suggests the children might have homophobic views or views that are intolerant towards other belief systems...

I am totally against, for example, bishops in the House of Lords. Why should someone of a particular religious faith have some preferential treatment over anyone else? This notion that the Church of England is the official religion of the country is utterly outmoded now. Jim Al-Khalili

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Quotes About Alternative Medicine (30 quotes)

Alternative medicine is becoming ever increasingly popular in this day and age, but what exactly is alternative medicine? It takes on many forms in a wide variety of guises from remedies such as Herbs, Oils, Massage and Chinese Acupuncture, which most of us will have heard of and maybe even tried to Ayurvedic medicine which has widely been used in India for over five thousand years.Alternative medicine was once perhaps given a wide berth by the sceptics but today over 600 million people pay visits to those offering alternative treatments and remedies. What Benefit does Alternative Medicine Have?

Most alternative treatments are based on the use of herbs, oils and massage so its perfectly safe and for thousands of people it has been proven to work time and time again. There are a vast array of different types and treatments available from minor illnesses through to those more severe, some people even suffering life threatening illnesses have benefited from some types of alternative medicine where conventional treatments have failed.

Listed below are some of the types of alternative treatments and therapies available:

Acupuncture treatment is not only the insertion of fine needles into the points on the body but also the detection of disharmony within the body. This is assessed by a series of questions on the persons lifestyle and emotions.

Originating from the Chinese Taoist monks acupressure is similar to acupuncture but without the use of needles, instead finger pressure is applied to the points.

Essential oils taken from plants are used in this treatment which can take the form of massage or inhalation. It is thought to be especially beneficial for those suffering from stress related illnesses.

This type of treatment stems back from India and is a complete system of exercise, diet and detoxification of the entire body.

Chiropractic treatment works mainly for those suffering from joint problems and is performed along the spine by adjusting joints.

There is a vast range of herbs used in treatment which the Chinese have used for thousands of years and are capable of treating a wide variety of illnesses.

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Alternative Medicine | What Is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative Medicine We provide a comprehensive array of the most clinically effective, and naturalized & organic alternative...

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Are you looking after your mental health? Are you or somebody close going through a period of depression, suffering from panic attacks or enduring spells of acute anxiety? Perhaps you are just feeling generally worn out, lacking in energy and struggling to summon up any enthusiasm for your everyday life? The professionals at Homeopathic Health Center can help you. Homeopathic Health Center is the leading alternative medicine and holistic treatment centre operating in Columbus today. We provide a range of specialist treatments, all proven to enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of our clients in the most naturalistic and effective fashion possible today.

We offer a range of treatments clinically proven to improve the psychological and biological health of all of our patients in a fully organic and holistic fashion. At Homeopathic Health Center, we are dedicated to offering our clients alternative treatment methods that enable them to avoid the conventional, chemical laden techniques of main stream medicine and to achieve wellness in a manner sanctioned by nature.

Homeopathic Health Center can accommodate patients suffering from a variety of physical & mental ailments. Our lengthy experience operating out of Columbus makes us among the most trusted and highly regarded Homeopathy clinics in Ohio. We can treat patients for a range of health conditions where mainstream medicinal techniques have frequently failed, including:

Depression Detox Mental Health Sport Injury Stress Skin Conditions Head aches Bone loss And much more!

The Homeopathic Health Center is a fully licensed and accredited medical treatment facility sanctioned by the United States Department of Health. We operate in the strictest adherence to the highest ethical, government, and industry standards; and our patients are always our priority.

Holistic medicine is a burgeoning discipline throughout the US because its effectiveness and clinical legitimacy is finally being given the recognition it deserves in the mainstream medical establishment. The Homeopathic Health Center has been at the forefront of the holistic medicine movement for years now. See how our range of alternative treatments can help you where conventional treatment has failed, or how we can complement/improve the treatment you are currently undergoing today. Call us at (614) 890-2589.

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Homeopathic Health Center | Columbus, OH - (614) 890-2589

So is buying bud actually a delight? It can be with Calimesa Alternative Care. Put aside the busy weekends where it goes right to voicemail, you get bummed for all of ten seconds & then sigh relief as your favorite budtenders call you back like you're VIP ready to take your order. The few times I'm torn between a selection the familiar voice on the phone who takes the time to greet you by name doesn't mind guiding you through product selection. There's no shady promises of "we'll be there in an hour," you get a realistic picture of the drivers schedule & where you fall. The person delivering is always polite, talkative, also remembers your name (so remember to tip! and generously!) & in my four or so years of ordering has never shorted me change or gotten my product wrong; I no longer open the bag, I've grown to trust this small community business. As for the bud? I've been coming back every week or two for four years so I'll let that speak the truth on that. My occasional adventures with edibles & concentrates have been on-par with what I've expected. My only feedback, perhaps create a loyalty program, there's a dozen of you & a million of us, keep your customers coming back with extra incentive not to explore new shops for those tempting new patient gifts. But hey, change nothing & I'll keep coming back, just keep the bud sticky - we don't need that crusty Colorado warehouse bud running rampant on our streets!

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Calimesa Alternative Medicine - Weedmaps

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Michael Phelps piques everyones interest when he sported polka dot bruises all over his body during his return to Olympic glory.

Before the internet went wild with their speculations, it was later found out that Phelps had underwent an ancient practice of detoxification known as cupping therapy, and the bruises were in fact cupping marks.

In the middle east, the practice came to be known as Hijama, which literally means sucking and has its roots in Islamic tradition.

The unique process cleans out the cardiovascular system by sucking out waste fluids creating vacuum in them so the cup clings on to the skin and forces the fluids to start accumulatingin the vessel.

The procedure is considered to be quite beneficial for athletes that helps rejuvenate their muscles and enhance their performance.

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How cupping therapy helps athletes like Michael Phelps as an alternative medicine - Sport360

A lot of talk about alternative medicine invovles taking legitimate medical terms and infusing them with dubious new definitions to sell some often sketchy products. The incorrect use of pseudoscientificlanguage lends credibility to concepts that aren't actually accepted by the medical community, turning people away from scientifically proven medical treatment. It also makes its practitioners a lot of money.

Here are some of the terms that are most commonly used and misused by alternative medicine gurus, natural products websites, dubious doctors, holistic healers, and all those purporting to treat illnesses with things other than science.

Perhaps no word is more misused by the alternative medicine industry than "toxin."

In the scientific sense, a toxin is a poisonous substancethat can have either a negative or positive effect on tissue, depending on dosage and chemical makeup. Scorpion venom, snake venom, andBotulinum toxin are all examples of naturally occurring compounds thatare extremely poisonous, but also have proven uses in science and medicine.

However, "toxins" in the alternative sense are defined only as bad substances that get into your body and cause a variety of maladies.

The popular site "Mind Body Green" claims that being "surrounded by too many toxins" causes fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches, and constipation. David Wolfe, an alternative medicine guru known for his prolific Facebook memes, lists "signs that you need to flush toxins" as lethargy, skin problems, headaches, and feeling hot. Toxins are also blamed for everything from belly fat to autoimmune diseases.

At no point do these types ever attempt to define thechemical makeup of a toxin, the mechanisms by which they work, or how we can be surrounded by toxins in our air, food and water without being dead. Toxins are simply bad, and you need to get rid of them. Which brings us to...

Alternative medicine retailers sell countlesscleanses and detox diets meant to flush you of the toxins that have built up in your body.

Colon cleanse detoxes are among the most popular, but you can do a cleanse for the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, or anything else. You can go on a cleansing diet, or do a"salt water flush" or a "dual action cleanse" using anything from juices and teas to powders and pills to over thecounter laxatives to bentonite clay to coffee enemas. You can get toxins pulled out of your feet, skin, or mouth, and you can sweatthem out or freeze them.And you can do it at a clinic, or at home.

The benefits ofcleansing are said to be truly miraculous. The "Global Healing Center" claims cleansing will improve digestion, increase your energy, burn off pounds, promote general health, and above all, purge you of the toxins that can only be removed by cleansing.

What cleansing proponents don't talk anywhere near as much about are the risks of cleansing. The vast majority of cleanses simply speed up and increase waste elimination, whichcan cause dehydration, cramps, and lightheadedness. And more invasive forms, such as enemas, can have severecomplications, including "perforating the bowel, serious infections, electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems and heart failure."

Beyond that, the efficacy of cleansing has never been proven, and many cleanse products are known to be fraudulent. Of course, your body already has an all naturalway to cleanse: going to the bathroom. And while detoxing is an actual medical term, it's only done for people with heavy metal poisoning (though detox products are also sold for that) and coming down from a drug addiction.

Given the glut of toxins in our environment, it's only natural that we should want to boost our immune systems in order to stave off disease.

The alternative medicine sphere is filled with immune-boosting foods, supplements, vitamins, and drinks. But do they do anything? And more importantly: do you want them to?

While charging up the immune system to fight illness sounds plausible, science writer Brian Dunning has a better analogy for how it should work: a teeter-totter. "If your immune system is compromised or otherwise weakened, one side of the teeter totter sags, and your body becomes more easily susceptible to infection," Dunning writes. "Conversely, if your immune system is overactive, the other side of the teeter totter sags, and the immune system attacks your own healthy tissues."

The result of an overactive immune system is not health but auto-immune disease. Fortunately, most commonly available immune system boosting products aren't powerful enough to do anything other than deliver an easily excreted megadose of vitamins.

Generally, experts agree that the best way to keep your immune system running smoothly is to lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat well, and not smoke.

From a scientific standpoint, energy is defined by Dictionary.com as "power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines." There are various ways to measure the transfer of energy from one body to another, and it can be consumedas food by living things, liquid fuel by machines, or in nuclear fusion by stars.

However, in alternative medicine,energy is not a measurable unit of work, but an immeasurable field of life force. It goes by a variety of names, including Reiki, therapeutic touch, prana, Qigong, orgone, healing touch, quantum healingand so on. Each one of these is slightly different, but operates on the same principles: that a skilled healer can use their life energy to heal sickness in others, either directly or indirectly.

Unlike many misused medical terms like cleansing and toxins, manyof theconcept related to energy medicine have been studied in clinical trials. But because "life energy" is impossible to detect, it's difficult to design proper studies that can be double blinded and controlled. As one paper puts it, "testing implausible treatments in clinical trials is wasteful and perhaps even detrimental."

A positive attitude opens you to the flow of life. It defines the energy you send out and shapes your circumstances.

A few studies have shown at least some effect from touch therapy in reducing low-grade pain. This fits with already established research on the power of touch to increase mental and physical health. If some forms of energy healing do work, it's because touch has a powerful effect on human physiology, not because of invisible energy fields and esoteric concepts.

Knowing that many of the uses of the terms are related to selling fraudulent products or unprovable concepts, it becomes easier to spot them when they're misused, and to appreciate them when they're used correctly.

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Four of the Most Misused Terms in Alternative Medicine - ATTN:

MUSCATINE Working as a registered nurse, Muscatine resident Michelle Servadio learned how the mind, body and spirit are all connected when it comes to wellness.

Despite mostly helping patients with Western medicine, Servadio said a lot of nurses believe in a holistic approach to health.

"A lot of medicines actually started out from plants, like aspirin came from the willow tree," Servadio said. "The pharmaceutical industry synthesizes it and turns it into the pills we have today, but many of them were derived from something already in nature."

Servadio is still a registered nurse today but decided to stop practicing and focus more on alternative and plant-based healing methods. She opened a new holistic health store in Muscatine just for that purpose, called Limitless RN Apothecary.

"It's something I've wanted to do for about 10 years, have a business I believe in that's focused on treating the underlying cause and getting the body in alignment," she said.

Servadio said most Western medicine is reactive and taken after patients experience symptoms or become ill. She believes it is most important to take a preventative approach to health, by eating whole foods and living a lifestyle that could help ward off future diseases.

Her new store, Limitless RN, which will officially open July 1, will offer culinary and herb gardens, essential oils, aromatherapy and other healing products.

"There's a great need for it here in the area," Servadio said. "We basically only have the farmers market where people buy plants and try to get things from nature."

She said there are few options for Muscatine residents hoping to receive alternative medicine, such as Prairie Jewel Acupuncture, which focuses on Eastern healing practices.

Servadio hopes local residents are starting to gain more interest in holistic health, and her main goal is making healthy lifestyle changes as easy to implement as possible.

Servadio's main product she will sell are potted gardens, each with its own theme, including multiple plants to be used for teas, meals or aromatherapy.

She hand-picks each plant and organizes them in a recycled planter, making sure the plants will have enough room to grow.

One of Servadio's favorite creations is a citrus tea garden, including orange mint, lemongrass, peppermint and other tea leaves. She said the leaves can be used to make a tea, be added to a bath or placed under a pillow for a restful sleep.

She also creates culinary gardens, such as one including all the herbs you need for a flavorful Thanksgiving meal or one with all the herbs needed to spice up a French dinner.

"I think people usually grab the plastic bottle and sprinkle dried herbs on their food," she said. "But there's real benefit to taking something fresh. It's better for your family and your health and will encourage you to eat healthier food rather than processed food."

Servadio said she has personally seen the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. After suffering from stomach issues, she switched her diet two years ago and lost about 70 pounds.

"It also made me be more active," Servadio said. "And it's very therapeutic, taking care of the mind, body and spirit. It's really an act of self care and leads to taking better care of yourself and family."

Limitless RN also will sell photographs taken by Muscatine Community College instructor Jim Elias and jewelry made by Servadio's daughter, Alyssa. Servadio hopes to hold holistic health classes in the store as well.

Servadio said Limitless RN Apothecary is now open with limited hours. It will officially open July 1 and have hours Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Limitless RN Apothecary is at 209 W. 2nd St. For more information, call 563-506-8714 or visit limitlessrn.com.

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Mind, body, spirit: Nurse opens holistic health store to promote overall wellness - Muscatine Journal

Hamilton Spectator

Alternative medicine practitioner charged with sexual assault in Burlington Hamilton Spectator BURLINGTON Halton police have charged a 42-year-old alternative medicine practitioner with sexually assaulting a patient. Police were contacted in May following an alleged sexual assault at an unnamed Burlington clinic. The alleged victim is an ... and more »

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Alternative medicine practitioner charged with sexual assault in Burlington - Hamilton Spectator

Welcome to the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines (IBAM).

"The Indian Board of Alternative Medicine, aims to contribute to the ultimate noble goals of World Peace, International freedom and justice, economic and social development generated by individual's full development (physical, mental, social and spiritual development with environmental harmony) and peaceful social activity through the dissemination of holistic education, solidarity, co-operation and service to humanity with open mind, good will, foresight and love for fellow human beings which will assure a better world where all human beings will live creatively in peace, happiness and health and achieve all the success they so pre-eminently deserve."

True to its motto, "Indigenous Roots, Global Pursuits", the Board has brought alternative medicines to the attention of the masses and trained students in India and abroad through its various courses in the different disciplines of alternative medicines such as acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, electro homeopathy, reiki, etc. to further facilitate the study of alternative medicines and provide a high standard of educational programmes.

The Board also regularly organises workshops on the different alternative therapies for large corporations and companies such as BHEL, TISCO, JINDAL and HINDALCO to name but a few.

Original post:

IBAM Indian Board of Alternative Medicine

New Delhi: The phobia of needles is something many people will confess to, but, the alternative medicine of acupuncture that involves thin needles being inserted into various points on your body, adheres to effective healing of many health problems.

A new study conducted by researchers RMIT University in Australia has revealed that the form of holistic medicine is also a safe and effective alternative to painkillers in providing long-term relief for patients with severe pain.

Researchers conducted a trial in the emergency departments of four hospitals involving about 528 patients with acute low back pain, migraine or ankle sprains.

Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine.

Patients who identified their level of pain as at least four on a 10-point scale randomly received one of three types of treatment acupuncture alone, acupuncture plus pharmacotherapy (treatment using drugs) or pharmacotherapy alone.

Researchers noted that one hour after treatment, less than 40 percent of patients across all three groups felt any significant pain reduction, while more than 80 percent continued to have a pain rating of at least four.

However, 48 hours later, the vast majority found their treatment acceptable, with 82.8 percent of acupuncture only patients saying they would probably or definitely repeat their treatment, compared with 80.8 percent in the combined group, and 78.2 percent in the pharmacotherapy-only group, researchers said.

"Our study has shown acupuncture is a viable alternative, and would be especially beneficial for patients who are unable to take standard pain-relieving drugs because of other medical conditions," said Marc Cohen, professor at RMIT University.

While acupuncture is widely used by practitioners in community settings for treating pain, it is rarely used in hospital emergency departments, researchers said.

"We need to determine the conditions that are most responsive to acupuncture, the feasibility of including the treatment in emergency settings, and the training needed for doctors or allied health personnel," Cohen said.

The study was published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

(With PTI inputs)

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Suffering from severe pain? Experts say THIS form of alternative medicine will work just as well as drugs! - Zee News

Zhang Yans lecture introduces ways traditional Chinese medicine which can treat your children, and which also help enhance the relationship between the parent and child.

Paediatric massage in China has a long history. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lends its unique understanding of childrens physiological and pathological development and changes, so that particular acupressure points, meridians and different techniques combined would effectively relieve symptoms of various conditions and even cure some children from certain ailments.

Zhang Yan, a lecturer from Shanghai University of TCM affiliated with Pudong Longhua Hospital, has 20 years experience in clinical practice of TCM, including acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and other traditional therapies, combined with nearly 10 years of psychological counselling experience.

She is acclaimed to be one of the best fourth generation inheritors of Lus Acupuncture, which is one of the protected intangible cultural heritage items of China.

Yans lecture introduces ways with TCM which can treat children and which also help enhance the relationship between the parent and child.

The lecture will take place tomorrow at the Multi-function Hall at the China Cultural Centre, Valletta, at 7pm. Entrance is free but it is on a first-come, first-served basis. To book your place, send an e-mail to [emailprotected] or call 2122 5055.

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Times of Malta Alternative medicine - Times of Malta

A Belgian court on Wednesday convicted two parents in the death of their infant, who succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration because his parents were firm believers in unconventional nutrition.

The court gave both a suspended six-month sentence because they failed to take adequate action to take care ofbabyLucas, who died at sevenmonths old with organs shrunk to half their size and without any fat around them.

Judge Mieke Butstraen said the demise of thebabywas "the result of the systematic offer of food that was not suitable."

Because of that, "his health was seriously impeded and he eventually died" three years ago, weighing only 9lbs 7oz, barely 2lbs 3ozmore in weight than when he was born.

The case has caused a major uproar about the use of alternative medicine and the responsibility of parents in raising their children.

The parents could still appeal the sentence, but the court said it already showed some leniency by giving the minimum six-month sentence.

"It is clear that the defendants have already been severely punished because they need to proceed with life in the knowledge that they are responsible for the death of their son, who they truly loved," Butstraen said.

The parents own a natural dietary shop and backed alternative food to the fullest, applying it to their newly born third child.

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Parents who believe in 'alternative nutrition' convicted after baby dies of malnutrition - Telegraph.co.uk

In a major breakthrough, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has unearthed a fake "council of alternative medicines" in Behala that had been giving forged MBBS certificates against a huge sum of money.

The investigating agency raided the office situated in a rented apartment on Biren Roy Road at Behala late on Saturday night. The investigating officers found several documents including a few forged MBBS certificates and other relevant documents from the office that they have sealed after conducting the search operation.

According to a senior officer of CID, accused Tapas Biswas had taken a portion of the house on rent nine months ago to run the office of the fake council which he had named "Council of Alternative System of Medicine".

Investigation revealed that he used to issue forged certificates on behalf of the fake council using which several began to practice allopathy. The CID officers are also looking for these fake doctors.

The investigating officers further came to know that Biswas stopped coming to the office 10 days ago and on the last day of his visit, he had left with several documents. The officers found the office locked from outside when they went to conduct the raid late on Saturday night.

The officers also went to his residence on Moore Avenue in South Kolkata and found it locked from outside. His neighbours informed the officers that Biswas along with his wife and other family members went out of station 10 days ago.

Biswas also runs an institute named Institute of Health Science. There are branches of the institute at Moulali and Gariahat as well. CID officers came to know that Biswas used to give some sort of training to the people who used to approach him to get forged MBBS certificates against a certain amount of money.

Moreover, the accused's father Pradip Biswas, who died a few years ago, was known to the locals as a doctor of alternate medicine. He also used to run an institution and got arrested five years ago by policemen from Regent Park police station, sources added. Interestingly, the investigating officers came to know that his wife also claims herself to be a doctor. His brother, who also passed away, used to run a similar type of institution in Cooch Behar.

The CID officers have questioned the owner of the house at Behala where Biswas had opened his office.

According to sources, the landlord told the officers that the accused had he had been kept in the dark while the house was being taken on rent by Biswas.

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CID unearths fake 'council of alternative medicines' in Behala - Millennium Post

Until a couple of years ago, alternative medicine was an alien concept in North American culture. However, there appears to be a growing consciousness regarding alternative medicine as a better form of health care as compared to conventional medicine.

Conventional medicine is being viewed as a form of treatment that has numerous side effects. The approach of conventional medicine appears focused on the illness of the patient instead of their health. Physicians have also been blamed for intentionally downplaying better medicines in order to remain in business.

INTRODUCTION TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Generally, the approach of conventional medicine is based on the treatment of symptoms rather than the underlying cause of most ailments. For instance, oncology is basically focused on hammering cancer cells into submission, or amputating the affected areas as in the case of breast cancer. Alternative medicine on the other hand appears more focused on preventative treatment and holistic treatment. In other words, alternative therapies attempt to understand the underlying cause of disease in the human body.

Alternative medicine refers to any form of treatment or therapy that is outside western standards of medicine. There is no official definition of alternative medicine since it comprises so many varied forms of treatment and their efficacies have not yet been fully studied.

For instance; stress, poor dieting, and exposure to certain carcinogenic substances are among the underlying causes of cancer. Alternative medicine appreciates this and approaches treatment of cancer from the perspective of treating the mind, body, and spirit for effective and lasting treatments.

Conventional treatments, such as the use of painkillers and other strong drugs, chemotherapy and radiology have been found to harm the body more than the diseases they are meant to treat. Its no wonder, therefore, that many people are turning to alternative medicine as their primary form of treatment. Some physicians recommend the use of both conventional and alternative forms of treatment for the best results.

There are so many different alternative therapies available for patients, so lets examine the most common of these alternative medicines.

ACUPUNCTURE

This is an eastern form of treatment that has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for centuries. It involves inserting needles into specific areas of the body to induce relaxation and create an energy balance in the body.

Acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese philosophy that health is attained when the human body and the universal forces are in harmony. Acupuncture therapists have, for decades, discovered acupuncture points which can be stimulated to attain this universe-body energy equilibrium.

By inserting fine and sterilized needles into these acupuncture points through the skin, the body re-orients itself to the universal forces. Further enhancement of stimulation can be achieved by using heat, electric shocks and pressure. Acupuncture combines needle insertion into the skin with other techniques such as cupping, massages, heat therapy and the application of traditional herbs for maximum outcomes.

Acupuncture is believed to cure a wide range of ailments. It is believed to evoke the bodys natural healing capabilities. It also enhances the natural body systems such as the endocrine, digestive, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems, ensuring your body works as if its new.

This therapy is renowned as a pain reliever, especially for patients with chronic diseases. It improves sleep, dissipates stress and increases the feeling of well-being.

ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure can be considered acupunctures cousin since they both operate on the same principles. The main difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that the latter uses pressure instead of sterile needles to get the job done.

Acupressure is believed to unblock clogged body energy paths to restore energy balance in the body. The therapist uses her fingertips, elbows, palms and feet to apply pressure to specific points along the meridian of the body.

Acupuncture has been recommended by physicians treating patients with cancer. It releases anxiety among patients, reduces cases of nausea which is a problem associated with cancer patients due to the medication they are undergoing and cures insomnia.

In a recent study acupressure was also found to be very effective in easing fatigue especially among breast cancer survivors.

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy involves using a number of plant extracts that occur naturally to enhance the body, mind and spiritual health of patients through inhaling and smearing on the skin as an ointment.Most of the essential oils that are used for aromatherapy have strong, relaxing and tantalizing aromas and have been used for centuries. Some of these oils, such as frankincense, are mentioned in ancient religious texts suggesting that they have been in use for over 2,000 years.

Recently, CBD oils which are extracted from Cannabis have been gaining popularity among Americans and are often administered through vaporizing or dabbing. They are believed to be instant mood enhancers and give immediate relief to anxiety and stress. They also relax muscles and, as a result, improve blood circulation in the body.

Other essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, chamomile and many others are used in aromatherapy. In general, these essential oils are good for relaxation, improvement of blood circulation, and creating the feeling of well-being.

This therapy doesnt need to be carried out by experts and can easily be applied as a home remedy for most patients. It is used, in most cases, as a complementary form of treatment to be used as a preventative form of treatment or alongside conventional treatment.

BALNEOTHERAPY

Balneotherapy is one of the oldest forms of treatment, and has existed since around 1700BC. There are references to ideologies of this therapy in ancient texts such as the Bible (certain people immersed themselves in the River Jordan and were cured of leprosy).This proves that it has been in use for centuries, but is now regaining its lost glory in the US.

As a therapy, Balneotherapy involves the use of water laced with minerals that are considered healthy for the skin. The treatments are used as mineral baths (also referred to as Dead Sea salt), sulfur baths, and radon-carbon dioxide baths. These baths are usually available in specific spas across the US.

According to a study in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, Balneotherapy has been found to be very effective in the treatment of rheumatological diseases such as osteoarthritis, chronic spinal cord and lower back pains, fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also very good for the treatment of dermatological, allergic, and respiratory ailments among patients. Therefore, it is a form of alternative therapy that can be very beneficial to a wide range of patients.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage therapy is also something that has gained popularity among Americans. Initially, massages were viewed as a form of luxury for the rich. However, more and more people are going for massages for health reasons.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 53% of all Americans that underwent massage therapy did so because they were recommended by a physician. Evidently, it is no longer a hobby for the rich, but a necessary alternative form of medicine.

Massage therapy involves kneading and squeezing and other manipulations of the soft tissues of the body. These soft tissues include body muscles, and tendons and ligaments that connect muscles to the bones or other tissues.

People seek massage therapy for a number of reasons; to reduce stress, help relax the body, improve blood circulation, help heal injuries faster, relieve pain, and acquire the feel good feeling. There are very many types of massage therapies designed to meet the specific needs of the patient which are categorized into two.

Relaxation massages are generally geared around relaxing the bodys muscles and also relieving stress. They also calm the mind. Swedish massage is the main type of massage under this category. Relaxation massages are generally done by massage therapists in spas and massage parlors.

Deep tissue massage, or rehabilitative massage, is mainly given to patients recuperating from an injury or surgery. It is also given to patients who are bedridden to improve blood circulation in body tissues, relax muscles and relieve pain. This type of massage is performed by qualified medical practitioners who are qualified to perform the therapy. It is usually performed in hospitals, clinics, or the offices of chiropractors.

With the growing number of American believed to be stressed, massage therapy is something that can be done frequently to ensure you stay away from the doctor. However, it can cost you up to $500 for a monthly subscription. Its worth every dime though.

CONCLUSION

What makes alternative medicine preferable to conventional medicine is the holistic approach of alternative medicine. Therapies such as acupuncture are based on the ideology that the body has the capacity to heal itself if working properly.

Alternative medicine aims to relieve the stress that patients face and to make them feel good about themselves. Once the human body is calm and stress-free, its immune system is strengthened and can therefore fight off diseases. Therefore, alternative medicines aim to heal the mind, body and spirit and are considered a more complete form of treatment.

Conventional medicine is generally viewed as paying too much attention to the symptoms of the disease and avoiding addressing the underlying causes of these diseases. In addition, most of the treatments used in conventional medicine settings have a lot of side effects for patients.

Current trends indicate that alternative medicine will become even more popular in the future.

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5 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES EVERY MAN SHOULD BE AWARE OF - TORO Magazine

Posted: Apr. 6, 2017 12:01 am Updated: Apr. 7, 2017 10:05 am

QUINCY -- Well-known medical cannabis advocate Dr. Alan Shackelford gave doctors, nurses and other medical professionals a firsthand look Thursday night at what marijuana can do for chronic conditions.

The Denver doctor and cannabis researcher opened his presentation with a brief biography and a video of 5-year-old Charlotte Figi, the youngest patient he has treated with medical cannabis.

In the video, Charlotte was enduring a seizure. Shackelford said she had more than 300 grand mal seizures a week before he "very reluctantly agreed" to begin treating her with cannabis. Charlotte was treated with a high-concentration cannabidiol oil and now has two to three seizures a month.

"That was stunning," Shackelford said. "I didn't understand exactly why it was working or how best to approach her treatment."

After informing the crowd of the significant drop in Charlotte's seizures, Shackelford cut to a second video of Charlotte standing upright and appearing healthy.

In late 2012, Shackelford made his first trip to Israel -- the only country to embrace medical cannabis research -- to "meet with authorities and professors and others to discuss doing research that would clarify those questions."

"I think the most important thing a physician can do is read and educate himself or herself on why cannabis might be a legitimate treatment option for a patient," Shackelford said. "I think biases have no place in medicine, particularly personal biases."

A Harvard-trained physician, Shackelford hoped to dispel myths and answer questions about medical cannabis during his appearance Thursday.

"The main thing I would like for them to go away thinking about is that this isn't something we discovered in the Amazon last month," he said. "This has been a mainstay of Western medical practice for many, many years. Every doctor prescribing medications in the United States between about 1850 and 1940 prescribed cannabis. This is nothing new."

Shackelford was invited to speak by Chris Wildrick, chief operating officer of Herbal Remedies Dispensary in Quincy.

"It was very important to me we bring in someone that is credible," Wildrick said. "For Dr. Shackelford to agree to come to Quincy and be a part of educating our medical community is huge. He's world-renowned."

Wildrick and partner Bob Lansing entered the medical cannabis field after researching it as a possible alternative medicine for a family member with a seizure disorder.

"We didn't plan it," she said, "but it didn't take us long in our research to recognize there is certain medicinal value to it."

Illinois' Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act was signed into law on Aug. 1, 2013. The couple opened Herbal Remedies on Nov. 9, 2015, the day Illinois' eight approved dispensaries opened. Herbal Remedies started with 60 patients and now serves 238.

"It's been a slow growth," Wildrick said. "There's a number of people in Illinois that do qualify to be in the program, but they're met with resistance from their doctors. That's what drove us to this event tonight."

The event was Wildrick's first. Fifty-four people registered early, most of whom are in the medical field, she said.

"That tells me there is interest," she said. "They recognize the need to learn more and know more about cannabis use. My goal is for everyone to walk away better informed, which could mean more acceptance and clear some of the confusion."

Illinois' pilot medical marijuana program expires Dec. 31, 2018, unless legislators choose to extend it.

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Medical cannabis expert discusses treatment options - Herald-Whig