Long before penicillin or X-rays, healers recognized the importance of emotional and spiritual wellbeing in achieving physical health. Two of the most well documented ancient holistic health traditions are Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.
TCM originated almost 5,000 years ago and has continued to evolve into a complex system of diagnostic and treatment methods that are still practiced today. From the very beginning, TCM viewed the human body as a small universe of interconnected systems, including physical elements as well as subtle energies, such as “qi,” or life force, and “shen,” or spirit.
There are three ancient medical traditions in holistic health:
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who lived in the 4th century B.C., stressed the healing power of nature. He believed in encouraging the self-healing efforts of the body. Other early physicians were more interested in actively stepping in to correct illness. These two approaches—support versus intervention—were debated for centuries until the scientific revolution of the 19th century.
With the discovery of germs as a disease-causing agent, Western medicine became thoroughly focused on intervention. Diseases were treated as invaders to be destroyed with medicines such as penicillin. Physicians paid less attention to healthy lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and emotional health. The emphasis was on symptoms and syndromes. Patients were discouraged from participating in their own health care and began to believe that medicine should simply “fix” them.
It took almost a century for the limitations of this approach to become clear. Some scientific medical cures proved more harmful than the diseases they sought to treat. Other diseases and chronic conditions failed to respond to scientific treatment.
Eventually people began to seek alternative forms of medicine. This led to a renewal of interest in holistic health education in the West. The first National Conference on Holistic Health was conducted in California in 1975. The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) and the Holistic Medical Association were formed soon after.
Reference: https://www.naturalhealers.com/blog/holistic-health-history/
It is a form of therapeutic bodywork from Japan. shiatsu means “finger pressure”. In the U.S., Shiatsu is one of the main therapies within the larger profession of Asian Bodywork Therapy.
Reference: https://www.amcollege.edu/blog/the-benefits-of-giving-and-receiving-shiatsu-massageWhat
Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced “chee”) through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health
Reference: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including:
Reference: https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/cupping-therapy
Meditation can be defined as a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Meditation is also a consciousness-changing technique that has been shown to have a wide number of benefits on psychological well-being.
Reference: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927#impact-of-meditation
An art embracing the mind, body and spirit – Originating in ancient China, tai chi is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind and body. Although an art with great depth of knowledge and skill, it can be easy to learn and soon delivers its health benefits. For many, it continues as a lifetime journey.
The essential principles include mind integrated with the body; control of movements and breathing; generating internal energy, mindfulness, song (loosening 松) and jing (serenity 静). The ultimate purpose of tai chi is cultivate the qi or life energy within us to flow smoothly and powerfully throughout the body. Total harmony of the inner and outer self comes from the integration of mind and body, empowered through healthy qi through the practice of tai chi. Tai Chi for Health programs are modernized tai chi incorporating medical science to deliver health benefits more quickly.
https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/what-is-tai-chi/
Energy healing targets the energy fields around the body. According to practitioners, energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or possibly emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness.
References: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308772#what-is-reiki
Bio magnetic therapy, also known as Bio magnetism or Bio magnetic Pair Therapy, is a paradigm shifting, holistic approach to wellness. Bio magnetic therapy utilizes medium intensity (1,000-4,000 gauss) magnets placed in specific locations with the correct north or south polarity. Placed properly the magnets correct pH imbalances allowing the body to return to its natural, healthy state of homeostasis. When accurately applied, Bio magnetic therapy restores proper pH and homeostasis, encourages the optimal function of organ systems, normalizes response to inflammation, stimulates detoxification, and addresses emotional conflicts and traumas.
References: https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/do-magnetic-bracelets-help-with-pain
Ayurveda is the ancient medical tradition of India. Ayurveda traces its origins to a text written by Sushruta, the “father of Surgery,” in the 6th century B.C. The healing practice incorporates beliefs in the five great elements of the universe, the seven primary constituent elements of the body, and the three “doshas,” or biological energies, that each represent. Using a system of eight treatment disciplines, Ayurvedic holistic health practitioners guide their patients to balance and moderation.
Reference: https://www.naturalhealers.com/blog/holistic-health-history/
(AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard. AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.
Reference: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/kinesiology
Vibration healing involves using a mechanical vibration (administered through specialized equipment) to treat certain health problems or injuries. Also known as vibrational therapy or vibration training, vibration healing is used in a variety of health-care settings (including physical therapy, massage therapy, rehabilitation, and sports medicine).
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-vibration-healing-89858
Phytotherapy, or herbalism, is defined as the usage of plants or herbs as medication to treat or prevent diseases in human and animals. The usage is gaining more attention among medical practitioners as well as large-scale livestock producers. A number of reports have shown the positive effects of herbal extracts as an antiviral agent used in animal feed or as a prophylaxis and remedy. Besides being a cheaper and safer alternative, the use of herbs may reduce the incidence of drug resistance and may modulate the immune system in preventing viral-related diseases.
In Germany, phytotherapy is classified as a regular discipline of natural orthodox science-oriented medicine.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/phytotherapy
Chiropractic is a health care profession. Chiropractors perform adjustments (manipulations) to the spine or other parts of the body. The goal is to correct alignment problems, ease pain, and support the body’s natural ability to heal itself. They may also use other treatments including
Many people visit chiropractors for treatment of low back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
References:
https://medlineplus.gov/chiropractic.html
https://www.acatoday.org/About/History-of-Chiropractic
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/chiropractic-care-for-pain-relief
https://www.healthline.com/health/chiropractic-benefits#10-benefits
Sympathetic Vibratory Physics (SVP) (sometimes called Quantum Entanglement) is the science of Life, Mind and Happiness founded in the non-observable Causative Scalar Forces in the universe. This science, discovered and developed by John Worrell Keely, explains the inner dynamics (principles and laws) of energy, frequency, vibration, form and force as also the powers of Mind over and in Matter. In short SVP shows how higher and finer forces permeate and direct everything there is.
https://svpwiki.com/Sympathetic-Vibratory-Physics
PEMF therapy mimics the Earth’s magnetic frequency (7.8 Hz to be exact) that serves as a healing resource for your body. PEMF is a powerful healing tool, for muscle recovery, resetting the central nervous system, strengthening the immune system, and improving cellular health.
There are SO many benefits to a PEMF therapy session – it’s out-of-this-world, literally: astronauts use PEMF to recover from a debilitating space mission.
PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. This type of therapy sends bursts of low-level magnetic frequencies directly into the body. These low frequencies pass through the skin to penetrate and heal muscle, bones, tendons, and even organs. Many people like PEMF therapy as a non-invasive way to treat injuries, chronic pain, and even long-term issues like depression and diabetes. The goal is to expedite recovery from the inside out.
https://higherdose.com/blogs/news/8-benefits-of-pemf-therapy
Magnetic field therapy uses magnets to maintain health and treat illness.
The human body and the earth naturally produce electric and magnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields also can be technologically produced, such as radio and television waves. Practitioners of magnetic field therapy believe that interactions between the body, the earth, and other electromagnetic fields cause physical and emotional changes in humans. They also believe that the body’s electromagnetic field must be in balance to maintain good health.
Practitioners apply magnetic field therapy to the outside of the body. The magnets may be:
Some people use magnet therapy for treating pain, such as foot, back, or joint pain.
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa141392spec
Cold laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light. The technique is called “cold” laser therapy because the low levels of light aren’t enough to heat your body’s tissue. The level of light is low when compared to other forms of laser therapy, such as those used to destroy tumors and coagulate tissue.
Surgical and aesthetic lasers heat the tissue being treated. True to its name, cold laser therapy does not.
Cold laser therapy is also known as:
Qigong, which is sometimes spelled Chi-Kung (and pronounced chee-gung), is the study and practice of cultivating vital life-force through various techniques, including:
Qi means “breath” or “air” and is considered the “vital-life-force” or “life-force energy.” Qigong practitioners believe that this vital-life-force penetrates and permeates everything in the universe. It corresponds to the Greek “pneuma,” the Sanskrit “prana,” or the Western medical conception of “bioelectricity.”
Gong means “work” or “effort” and is the commitment an individual puts into any practice or skill that requires time, patience, and repetition to perfect.
Through study, the individual aims to develop the ability to manipulate Qi in order to promote self-healing, prevent disease, and increase longevity.
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/qigong
The Emotion Code provides a framework for these ancient teachings by providing an understanding of how trapped emotional energies can cause blockages or imbalances in your personal energy field. With The Emotion Code, we believe it’s possible to permanently remove these negative energies.
Knowing several muscle testing techniques, and how to release Trapped Emotions on yourself and others with proxy and surrogate testing. Release Heart-Walls, inherited and shared Trapped Emotions. This simple yet transformative healing method works by detecting negative emotions stored in the subconscious mind that can go as far back as when you were in your mother’s womb.
Reference: https://designinglifeintentionally.com/2019/07/17/a-brief-history-explanation-of-the-emotion-code/#:~:text=A%20Brief%20History%20%26%20Explanation%20of%20The%20Emotion,common%20phrase%20used%20in%20current%20modern%20medical%20terminology.
Emotional freedom technique (EFT), which people often refer to as EFT tapping, is an alternative therapy for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and some other conditions. According to the developer of EFT, Gary Craig, tapping on different parts of the body helps balance energy and reduce physical and emotional
pain. People can see an EFT practitioner for treatment or treat themselves using this technique.
There have been relatively few studies on EFT, but the body of research has grown in recent years. In this article, we discuss the theory and research behind EFT and explain how to practice this tapping technique at home.
Reference: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326434#how-to-do-eft-tapping
Involves using sound vibrations to relax your mind and body. “To heal is to make sound,” says Gong Master Martha Collard of Red Doors Studio. “Sound can shift frequencies from low energy of guilt and fear to higher vibrations of love and joy. Sound healing is the use of sacred instruments or voice to release energetic blockages inducing a state of ease and harmony in the body.” While there are many types of sound therapy, all of them produce vibrations that alter your brain waves.
Malbert Lee, a Hong Kong-based Crystal Bowl and Gong Master, says vibrations are especially useful for healing the body. “The adult body is 75% water, and water is a great conductor for sound vibration,” he notes. “When vibrations travel through the body, they promote circulation, energy flow, and rejuvenation. The frequency of the sound synchronizes with the brainwaves and activates destress responses in the body.”
Reference https://destinationdeluxe.com/sound-healing-health-benefits/Color Healing Reference: https://www.healthline.com/health/sound-healing
Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.
Reference: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-reflexology#how-it-works
Hypnotherapy, also referred to as guided hypnosis, is a form of psychotherapy that uses relaxation, extreme concentration, and intense attention to achieve a heightened state of consciousness or mindfulness. In other words, it places the individual into a “trance” or altered state of awareness.
This form of therapy is considered alternative medicine with the purpose of utilizing one’s mind to help reduce or alleviate a variety of issues, such as psychological distress, phobias, and unhealthy, destructive, or dangerous habits (i.e. smoking and/or drinking). The aim of hypnotherapy is to create a positive change in an individual, while he/she is in a state of unconsciousness or slumber (sleep).
Research suggests that hypnosis may provide a wide range of benefits for a multitude of psychological, physical, and behavioral issues and conditions.
Hypnotherapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions, issues, and unwanted/unhealthy behaviors, such as:
Phobias
Addiction
Relationship/Family/Work Conflicts
Sleep Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Grief and Loss of a Loved One
Cessation of Smoking
Weight Loss