New to complementary therapies? Impressed by the rise in interest and in the good reports of the effectiveness of alternative therapies? Many people are being drawn to complementary therapies because
- They work and have stood the test of time
- They don't depend upon using chemical drugs that have dangerous side-effects
- They are natural
However, initially it is often difficult to choose the right therapy.
Matching the Therapy to the Degree of Disharmony
Choosing the right therapy can be done on the basis of how deeply the imbalances are felt. Some people feel mildly stressed and at the other end of the scale there are real symptoms of pain, insomnia, digestive problems or diagnosable diseases such as heart problems, etc.
On a scale of 1 – 10, where 1 equals mild stress and 10 is feeling very ill, first it is necessary to place oneself somewhere on that scale.
Which Therapies are Good for Treating Mild Stress
For those at the lower end of the scale, say 1, 2 or 3 it is a good idea to opt for therapies such as massage or reflexology. These therapies help by loosening tight muscles and by improving blood and Qi (chi) circulation around the body. They are deeply relaxing and will improve sleep and other stress-related problems. This helps to improve the body's own defenses against disease.
The types of massage recommended include Head & Back massage, Sports massage, Swedish massage and Hydrotherm massage. Reflexology helps the whole body through massaging reflex points on the feet.
Which Therapies are Good for Treating Medium Stress
For those who place themselves in the mid -stress range, between 4 and 7, and have digestive problems, IBS, fatigue, or similar issues, it is a good idea to use a therapy that is more potent. This includes such modalities as acupuncture, kinesiology, spiritual healing or Reiki that can help to work more deeply in the energy system to help release blockages.
Osteopathy and Chiropractic treatments can be used to address spinal misalignment and joint problems following accidents. Counseling is very useful for helping people to better understand how current health issues may relate to the negative effects of past or present life situations. Ionic foot detox can be used to speedily counteract skin and toxicity problems .
Therapies for Treating High Stress Levels and More Serious Symptoms
At this level of difficulty it is often necessary to utilise complementary therapies as an adjunct to medical intervention. Those with undiagnosed symptoms are encouraged always to see their physician first.
Disease, in complementary therapy terms, is believed to arise out of long term stress and toxicity. It takes longer to reverse these problems when they have manifested as chronic, severe illnesses. However there is still much that complementary therapies can do to improve the situation. The following genuine case study illustrates this.
Case Study - Choosing the Right Therapy
Douglas was recovering from Triple Heart Bypass surgery and was receiving many drugs from his physician. However these drugs had affected his digestion to the point that he had an IBS and chronic fatigue.
Using Kinesiology tests, this was diagnosed as a Yeast overgrowth in the intestines possibly caused by antibiotics and other medications. Kinesiology was also used to find the correct supplements to eradicate the yeasts. Douglas also received weekly acupuncture to restore balance.
After 2 months Douglas’s energy levels had improved significantly. Working alongside his doctor it was possible to start reducing the number of medications that Douglas was taking. His quality of life was much improved.
