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We’ve been relying on traditional and folk remedies for thousands of years. Today, a huge portion of the U.S. population still gets at least some of their treatment that way! Research suggests that around 55% of us use some type of alternative medicine for health problems.
Many of these approaches aren’t as “alternative” as you’d think! From yoga to acupuncture to aromatherapy, we invest a lot of time in popular techniques to deal with stress, pain, and other chronic conditions. If you’re considering alternative medicine, read on to learn about a few of the most common and effective options.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient alternate medicine. First developed in ancient China, this technique is great for treating pain and conditions like allergies, nausea, and migraines.
It works by stimulating sensory nerves in the skin and muscles. By inserting a special needle into a specific trigger point, providers can stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Many people also find it relaxing, reporting minimal pain during the treatment.
Massage
Massages are great for relaxation, which is why this technique is a staple in luxury spas worldwide. However, massage therapy is good for much more than a spa day!
Studies suggest that the relaxing benefits of massage can help reduce blood pressure, lower pain levels, and even improve immune function. This therapy can also help with stress, anxiety, and pain.
This works because the physical movements of a massage help relax muscle tissue, which can reduce nerve compression, pain, contractions, and spasms.
Meditation
A longtime staple of holistic medicine, meditation offers crucial mental wellness benefits. During meditation, patients focus on a mantra, breathing pattern, word, sound, or image.
This act of focusing can help reduce self-defeating and depressive thoughts. Because it helps patients grow calm, it can even reduce the body’s physiological response to stress. This, in turn, is great for your mental and physical health.
Mindfulness
If you’re trying to get into meditation, mindfulness is a great complementary therapy to try. These techniques often go hand in hand, as they’re ideal for anyone trying to restructure negative or stress-inducing thoughts.
Being mindful forces you to focus on the present moment, not on any other thoughts. By centering on what’s happening, patients find it easier to relax, focus, and accept the world around them. This can be helpful for anyone struggling with stress, chronic pain, inflammation, and more.
Herbal Medicine
As the name suggests, herbal medicine comes from plants. This alternative treatment stems from folk and traditional medical approaches.
Herbal medicine can have powerful effects. These herbs can help with everything from morning sickness to fatigue to mild to moderate depression.
However, it’s important to be careful with herbal medicine. Patients should always work with an experienced provider instead of self-diagnosing. Some herbal remedies can interact with pharmaceutical medications, so telling your doctor what you’re taking is crucial.
Aromatherapy
Scented oils are great for inducing calmness. Certain oils can reduce stress, pain, and even nausea. Common options include lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
Even better, aromatherapy is a safe treatment you can try at home. Adding oils to bath water, massaging them into your skin, or using a diffuser can help. However, you can also find providers who offer aromatherapy treatment if you prefer.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is an ancient martial art developed in China. In the modern day, practitioners have started to recognize how helpful it is for overall health.
Because tai chi is a gentle form of exercise, it’s ideal for anyone who wants to start moving without jumping into a rigorous workout. It’s also perfect for patients struggling with pain that limits their movements, though you should always talk to a doctor before starting any new exercise routine.
Through tai chi, you’ll do slow movements and achieve specific postures. Doing so can help with stress.
Yoga
For anyone hoping for a bit more intense (but still gentle) exercise, yoga is another viable option. Thanks to the focus on deep breathing and simple stretches, yoga poses are great for enhancing strength, relieving pain, and lowering stress and anxiety.
However, consider working with an instructor who has experience helping patients with your condition. They may be able to give you alternative poses for a gentler stretch or poses to relieve specific pain symptoms.
Hypnotherapy
Also called “hypnosis,” hypnotherapy has a lot in common with meditation. The difference is that you’ll achieve a state of deep relaxation and focus with help from a trained practitioner instead of getting there alone.
Like meditation, hypnotherapy may relieve pain and stress. It may also help you treat self-defeating thoughts, reconsider emotions and behaviors, and address phobias.
Though many people think of hypnosis as a forced deep sleep, the truth is that you’ll be in full control of yourself during hypnotherapy. You’ll also retain all of your memories. Though hypnosis makes it easier for you to accept the suggestions your therapist offers, no part of this therapy happens against your will.
Naturopathy
Also called naturopathic medicine, naturopathy focuses on natural remedies that help the body heal itself. It focuses on treating the mind, body, and spirit to address illness.
In many ways, naturopathy combines many of the other alternate medicine approaches we’ve discussed above. The approach to healing is holistic and often starts with lifestyle changes. Practitioners may advise nutritional counseling, herbal or natural medicine, exercise, massage, and acupuncture.
This option may be ideal for anyone who isn’t sure where to start with alternative medicine. Experts at clinics like New Leaf Naturopathic Medicine can help guide you to comprehensive natural solutions for your treatment!
Try These Treatments for Health Problems
If you’ve never jumped into the world of alternative medicine before, you might be surprised at just how many health problems these treatments can help with! Whether you’re struggling with your mental health or physical symptoms, consider the treatments above. Work with your doctor, therapist, or other provider to develop a safe treatment plan that fits your condition.
We hope you found this post helpful! If so, be sure to take a look at our other guides for additional tips and tricks.
