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Alternative Health Care Options

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Parent Issue
Month
April
Year
1992
Copyright
Creative Commons (Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share-alike)
Rights Held By
Agenda Publications
OCR Text

Acupuncture - A 2,500 year oíd Chinese medical practice claiming that disease is caused by a blockage or weakness in the body's vital forcé or chi. The Chinese have dissected the human energy field into disünct lines or meridians. Acunpuncture induces a new state of energy equilibrium in the body through stimulation of acupuncture points along a meridian with needles or finger pressure. Body work - For the purpose of this article the term bodywork refers generally to a wide variety of therapies that manipúlate the soft tissues of the body through the useof touch. Massage Therapy, Polarity, Rolfing, Hellerwork, Shiatsu, Alexander Method and Feldenkreis are some of these methods. (Many of these disciplines will be covered in next month's article.) Chiropractic - A system of healing in which disease is considered to be the result of a neural malfunction caused by small displacements or subluxations of the vertebrae: Treatment involves manipulation or adjustments of the spinal column and other bones . Because the area around the joints tends to be densely laced with blood vessels and nerves, adjustments not only help the mechanical function of the joints but it also yields positive benefits to theorgans and body areas that are served by the same vessels and nerves. Osteopathy - Osteopaths practice manipulative techniques like chiropractors but have medical school training and can prescribe medications. Homeopathy - A system of medicine which is based on the idea that like is cured by like. This law of similars states that a remedy or medicine made from natural substances can cure a disease if it produces symptoms similar to those of the disease in ahealthy person. A homeopathie physician studies all the symptoms and then searches for a remedy that has produced all the same symptoms in a healthy person under scientifically controlled conditions. The remedies available have all been categorized in a book called the Materia Medica. Minute quantities of the remedy are given in order to allow the immune system to react and build a defense to the symptoms. (Homeopathy will be the focus of our third article.) Her balism - The practice of growing and collecting herbs and plants that are used to prevent and cure disease and illness. Herbs have been used by many native cultures around the world and are often used in our modern medicines today. Midwifery - Midwives assist women with prenatal care and delivery of babies. Unlike obstetricians, midwives remain with the cliënt throughout labor and delivery. They also can help in the process of homebirthing. Emphasis is placed on education and nutritional counseling to avoid problems in pregnancy and delivery. (Midwifery wil! be the focus of our fourth and final article.)

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