There is nothing more important than your health and wellbeing, and managing and maintaining your health is really something every individual can become actively involved with. The common-sense basics of a healthy lifestyle are well publicised; good nutrition and regular exercise, however each individual’s needs differ, and such a generic approach may not address any particular health issues or lifestyle concerns. Generally a visit to your local general practitioner is a good start to getting your health on track, but you could also consider alternative health options that may be locally available to you.

Naturopathic Medicine

A Naturopathic approach is holistic, based on the premise that the body has the ability to heal itself. Naturopathy is the practice of assessing, treating and preventing illness using the integration of conventional health sciences and a range of natural therapies. Naturopathy considers all aspects of a person’s lifestyle and addresses the concerns of the body, the mind and emotions. A Naturopath’s aim is to empower each individual with insights and understandings about their own personal wellbeing and assists them with developing healthy lifestyle habits, nutritional diet and eating habits, and providing guidance and support on vitamin and herbal supplements. There are a number of accredited courses that Naturopath’s can undertake that are recognised by the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA).

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative health therapy that originated in China involving the insertion of fine hair-like needles into particular meridians and points on the body. These are known as ‘acupoints’. The premise of Acupuncture is the balancing of energies throughout the body to alleviate pain, treat and prevent illness. A visit to most acupuncturists will include a consultation of health concerns and issues, followed by your pulse being taken on both hands and inspection of your tongue. This will allow the practitioner to determine which meridians need stimulating to improve the energy flow. The needles used in acupuncture are very fine and generally cause little to no pain at all. Some acupuncturists also prescribe traditional Chinese medicine or Chinese herbal medicine to assist in supporting the healing process. The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association offer accredited courses for practitioners.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the theory that you can stimulate the body, improving its ability to fight infection and disease. Homeopathy has been used as a treatment for over 200 years and involves treating individuals with diluted substances triggering the body’s natural healing system. These medicines are referred to as “remedies” by homeopaths and, as the doses are so diluted, they are generally safe for all ages to take. The Australian Register of Homeopaths (AROH) is the national register of accredited homoeopaths in Australia.

Applied Kinesiology

Kinesiology is an alternative health therapy that uses muscle testing to identify various stresses or imbalances in the body. This non-invasive therapy is based on the premise that each muscle group is related to other body parts. Once a practitioner has pinpointed the problem areas they may use massage or tapping to release and clear energy blockages. Kinesiology can be used to treat a range of issues from anxiety and insomnia to allergies. Muscle testing is also used to measure reactions to certain foods or environmental factors, and nutritional or dietary changes may also be recommended. The Australian Institute of Kinesiologists represents Kinesiology practitioners in Australia and offers accredited courses.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an alternative therapy that involves the application of pressure to specific points (reflexes) on the feet and hands to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. The concept is that the feet and hands are maps of the entire body, and applying pressure to specific points can have a positive impact on the correlating body part. Reflexology is a holistic practice which takes into account emotional and physical factors. Most people find reflexology a relaxing experience, although some reflex points may be more sensitive or tender than others. The Reflexology Association of Australia represents Reflexologists in Australia.

This article covers some of the alternative medicines and healing techniques that take a holistic approach to health and healing. To find out more contact your local alternative medicine practitioners or therapists, and take a positive step towards your wellbeing today.