Alternative Therapies

...The ones popping up that we don't know much about...

Biochemic tissue salts

This form of therapy is based upon the idea that taking tablets containing highly dilute minerals will aid in the health of the individual. There is no evidence to disprove this type of therapy, but many doctors believe that minute amount of minerals have little or no effect on the body.

Colour therapy

This therapy uses the colours of light in a variety of ways to produce healing. The idea of this therapy is based upon the idea that certain wavelengths of light have specific healing properties on the different parts of the body and brain. This kind of therapy can be used for a variety of disorders such as stress, depression, skin problems and learning difficulties. During the first consultation, the colour therapist will ask about medical history, along with colour preferences. The therapist may then suggest treatment that may involve basking in specific coloured lights, wearing clothes in certain colours, and even eating foods with particular colours.

Crystal therapy

Practitioners who use crystals as a form of therapy base their healing beliefs upon the idea that gemstones and crystals produce different types of healing energy. The therapist will ask you to talk about your physical and emotional health. Then the appropriate gemstones and crystals are then placed around or on the client's body, which is relevant to the problem(s).

Flower essences

Flower essence therapy is often used in conjunction with other alternative or medical therapies. Flower essences are drops that are said to treat the personality, mind and emotions. The flower essence therapist will talk to you about your emotional and medical health. Any negative states have an appropriate correcting flower essence. The essences are said to transform any negative thoughts and feelings, into positive thoughts and feelings. When you are more positive it can make you feel happier and healthy, calmer, less afraid, and more patient. This can then help the individual to cope with life pressures more easily. Therapists believe when you attain optimistic harmony in mind, it boosts harmony in the body, which can activate immunity and self-healing process.

Laughter therapy

Everyone knows that when you laugh you feel good. It is a common fact that when you laugh, various chemicals are released in the body, which include endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural mood enhancing and pain killing chemicals. It has been found that laughter can relax tense muscles and can strengthen the immune system. Laughter therapy is used for various problems, many of which are stress related. The therapy uses workshops, in which there are various techniques to make you laugh, whether it be by using a comedian, or making light of difficult situations.

Light therapy

This form of therapy involves the individual sitting in front of a specially designed light box which produces light at a much higher density than that of a normal bulb. Light therapy is used for those who may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a disorder that affects the individual during winter months, where they may find themselves extremely depressed. It is thought that during winter months a hormone called melatonin is responsible. When there is less light (as there is in winter) more of this hormone is produced, it is thought that too much melatonin can increase the incidence of depression. Therefore the theory behind this treatment is that receiving more light will reduce the production of this hormone, and therefore reduce the depression. This form of treatment should be supervised by your doctor, and requires you to sit in front of the light box for about 2 hours of the day.

Magnet therapy

This form of therapy relies on the idea that the body responds to magnetism. It is mostly used in treating conditions such as arthritis, and other joint disorders. The therapist will apply magnets to the body in either the form of a bracelet, or as magnetic pads. Unfortunately for those who hope to use this form of therapy research, it has been found that it has little or no therapeutic effects, therefore there is much skepticism surrounding magnet therapy.

Sound therapy

It is a fact that sound can alter the pattern of brainwaves. Sound therapy is based upon this idea. The therapist uses sound to help promote healing within the body. This therapy is best used for emotional problems such as stress and anxiety. Sounds such as the ocean, calls of dolphins, chanting, (and generally sounds that are soothing) induce relaxation.

- Louise Ganey

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