Health Articles » Alternative Therapy

There are a wide range of Alternative therapies, medicine and health options in Australia, growing in popularity.

Chiropractic
Chiropracty is concerned with the spine and nervous system. They believe the nervous system to can cause a decrease in the bodys ability to self heal if blocked by misalignment in the spine. They refer to this misalignment as 'subluxation'. Chiropracters work on realigning the spine to correct any subluxation and return the nervous system to normal.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice dating back to the BC era. Acupuncturists believe that blockages to the flow of qi (the bodys life energy) will cause illness. Acupunture works on remedying this by the insertion of very fine needles into acupuncture points located along energy pathways.

Naturopthy
Naturopaths carry the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself and that illness is a sign that the body is out of balance. The practice of Naturopathy utilises a range of therapies to support the bodys natural ability to heal itself. Therapies used can include herbalism, nutrition, iridology, homoeopathy and more.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are based on a philosophy of 'like cures like', minimal dose and single remedy. Homeopathy is a natural medicine with remedies that are based on natural ingredients.

Osteopathy
Osteopaths use a mix of massage, stretching and manipulation of the bodys joints to correct structural problems. Osteopaths belive that if the bodys framework is out of alignment or balance it can cause issues with the nervous system, circulatory system and lymphatic system. Osteopathy works toward correcting any structural issues freeing the body to heal itself.

Massage
There are many types of massage with some massage therapists specialising in certain areas. They include Swedish Massage (relaxing whole body massage), Bowen Therapy (Bowen Technique involves a rolling type movement over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints), Zhi Ya (a form of Chinese massage based on acupressure), Deep muscle therapy & Deep Tissue Therapy, Remedial Massage (uses techniques such as deep friction, rolling, squezing and kneading), Lymphatic Drainage (Uses rythmic pumping techniques to stimulate the bodys Lymphatic system which is essential to the immune system) and many more.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (natuaral essences) which are said to stimulate the olfactory senses (sense of smell). Aromatherapy is sometimes combined with massage, as an inhalant, with warm soothing baths and as a compress for wounds.

Reflexology
Reflexology works on relfex points of the hands and feet which are said to correspond to particular body parts and organs which via stimulation can increase blood flow and reduce pain in those corresponding parts of the body.

Hypnotherapy
Hypnotists beleive that via hypnosis they can bring about change via helping the client to access, review and release disabling experiences that are affecting and impacting on daily life.

For practioner listings see: Alternative Health Directory