Disadvantages:

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:

Disadvantages:

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:

Disadvantages:

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:

Disadvantages:

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:

Disadvantages:

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.