New-age healing
If you're tired of injections, X-rays and blood tests, why not try some of today's non-invasive, alternative therapies?
Iridology | Magnetic therapy | Reflexology | Bach flower therapy | Ayurveda
Alternative therapies are part of the growing worldwide trend towards holistic healing and while there'll always be a place for Western medicine, you can still enjoy the benefits of other approaches.
New-age healing has come into its own, with ever-increasing therapies and treatments being offered to us for ailments ranging from depression and obesity to backache. While it's important to remember that chronic or life-threatening illnesses should be handled by a medically qualified expert, there's a lot to be said for the wisdom of holistic, alternative therapies, many of which employ ancient understanding of the relationship between the mind and the body.
Here are some of the most popular new healing approaches, how they work and what they'll cost you.
Iridology
What is it?
Iridology looks at the patterns and structures of the iris in the eye to identify areas and stages of inflammation in the body.
How does it work?
Based on the premise that the parts of the iris correlate with the entire human body, iridology is a diagnostic tool that can indicate where the ailment is. The iris reveals body constitution, inherent strengths and weaknesses, health levels and transitions that occur in the human organism. It also indicates in which areas tissues and organ are degenerating, or where there's over-activity, irritation and injury. Toxic accumulation levels can be observed, as well as nutritional and chemical imbalances. After examining the iris, the practitioner will be able to pinpoint the exact details of the patient's ailment - an experienced iridologist may even pick up problems which haven't yet manifested.
Cost:
R150 for a 30-minute consultation.
Treatment:
Once your condition's been diagnosed, the practitioner will advise treatment, which could range from something as simple as reducing stress to writing out a prescription, if he or she is also a medical doctor. Alternatively, the iridologist might refer you to a GP or specialist.
Advantages:
Iridology is a useful branch of preventive healthcare
It's simple and painless for patients
Diagnosis is immediate
Consultation times are normally shorter than those of Western doctors.
Disadvantages:
Iridology is costly
It will not show or identify a specific illness, but simply provide information about tissues which are predisposed towards disease, often before the symptoms appear
It can't locate parasites, gallstones or viruses, but will indicate the presence of inflammation and toxic conditions
It will not show pregnancy, as this is a normal function of the female body.
Magnetic therapy
What is it?
Magnetic therapy is a natural method used to relieve pain, restore energy and enhance sleep by applying magnetic fields to the body. It also speeds up the healing process.
How does it work?
The magnets have no healing power per se, but they accelerate healing by restoring the body's normal electro-magnetic balance. According to the website www.magnetictherapy.co.uk, the magnetic field relaxes capillary walls, as well as surrounding muscle and connective tissues, allowing for increased blood flow. More oxygen and nutrients are pumped to the injury site, while pain and inflammatory-related electro-chemicals are more efficiently removed. The overall process relieves pain and inflammation. Individual response time varies from a few minutes to a few weeks. The effectiveness of magnetic therapy depends on using the correct magnetic products, the length of time they're applied, and the type and severity of the problem.
Cost:
You'll pay at least R50 for a consultation which guides you on the type of magnet to be used, the strength and how long it should be used for.
Treatment:
A small area of pain, like a knuckle, can be treated with an individual magnet. A larger area like a hip, knee or lower back will require a larger magnetic treatment product. Multiple pain trigger points will require several magnetic products for simultaneous treatment, as continuous use gives the best results.
Advantages:
The magnetic element in products lasts a lifetime
The products are easy to use
There are no side-effects.
Disadvantages:
Magnetic therapy is unsuitable for individuals with pacemakers or medical implants, nor should it be practised on those using
insulin pumps, since it may interfere with the delicate electronic equipment
Magnetic products aren't recommended for use during pregnancy, as their safety hasn't been established
Keep magnetic products at least 15cm away from credit cards, computers, diskettes, audio, videotapes and similar electronic equipment, as loss of data may result.
Reflexology
What is it?
Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that reflexes in the hands, feet and ears correspond to every gland and organ of the body.
How does it work?
Reflexology uses feet and hands as "maps" or "mirrors" of the body, which respond to pressure by eliciting a reflex from the corresponding part of the body. Reflexology uses different massage and pressure techniques to relax and loosen feet and hand muscles. It relieves tension, improves circulation and promotes natural functions of the body.
Cost:
Approximately R175-R250 per one-hour session.
Treatment:
A reflexology session begins with a visual examination. The entire foot is assessed to identify spots which indicate physical problems. Different types of pressures, and occasionally oils or creams, are applied to achieve the desired effect on a body part.
Advantages:
Reflexology is safe
It helps reduce mental, physical and emotional tension
It can sometimes detect health problems before they become serious.
Disadvantages:
Reflexologists are not qualified medical practitioners and may not prescribe medicines or treatment.
Bach flower therapy
What is it?
Bach flower therapy is an energy-based treatment which can be used in conjunction with traditional healing. It relieves daily stress, mild depression and anxiety and encourages calmness and tranquillity.
How does it work?
A Bach flower "remedy" consists of water which has been patterned with the energetic vibrations of one of 38 different flowers. This pattern is repeated in water (or other beverages) four times a day. The treatment seeks to create balance in areas of energetic disruption, particularly emotional upheaval.
Cost:
R60 for a 10ml bottle.
Treatment:
The therapist assesses the needs of a client based on a psychological interview. He or she then prepares a unique mixture of one to seven flower remedies for the client to take, depending on their psychological needs. Most commonly, only two to four remedies are used at a time. Progress is monitored on a weekly or monthly basis, and the remedy adjusted accordingly.
Advantages:
Bach flower therapy is safe for children, pregnant or nursing mothers, the elderly and even those with flower allergies.
Disadvantages:
The therapy can't predict or prevent illness
Effects are gradual and almost imperceptible. It helps to keep a written record of weekly mood descriptions to track improvement.
Ayurveda
What is it?
According to the website www.spiritualworldco.za, Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing that focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of the life energies within us, rather than focusing on individual symptoms. It seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore harmony.
How does it work?
Ayurveda does not treat specific symptoms; instead, it looks at the entire array of elements that make up an individual's life. As a result, patients who undergo Ayurvedic treatment will not be given medications. Rather, they will learn how to achieve total mind-body health using the least invasive methods possible.
Cost:
Approximately R190 for one-and-a-half hours.
Treatment:
The Ayurvedic practitioner will recommend appropriate herbs, oils and foods, as well as a programme of body massage and various cleansing routines, known as Panchakarma.
Advantages:
Ayurveda can relieve pain and mental or emotional anguish
It encourages a healthy lifestyle and exercise.
Disadvantages:
It is expensive
Improvement in health may not be immediate.
Sources:
Glenvista Holistic Health Institute
www.vital.co.za
www.sarahchanaradcliffe.com/bach_flower.htm
For details of practitioners of alternate therapies in your area, enquire at your local health shop.
- True Love