Holistic therapy is a treatment that addresses the relationship between the mind, body, and spiritual well-being. While traditional medicine treats symptoms, holistic healing therapies consider a person’s health combined with their mental health and alignment with their core. This system holds the thought that different parts of the body contribute to daily function.
Holistic therapy helps patients take charge of their well-being and relieve stress sometimes. For instance, if you experience pain in a specific part of your body, holistic therapy helps address the source of the pain. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety or emotional stress, this technique tackles the root cause through different treatment methods.
For the best result, combine holistic healing therapy with conventional medicine. While medications eliminate the symptoms, therapies like yoga and mindfulness can help you address the cause of your pain.
Check out these popular holistic healing therapies if you’re considering alternative medicine:
1. Acupuncture therapy
Acupuncture is one of the most popular holistic healing therapies. You’re probably conjuring images of needles and blood at this point. However, there’s more to acupuncture than inserting tiny needles into different parts of your body. This technique is an ancient Chinese treatment that seeks to stimulate healing points in the body. By inserting needles into pain points on the skin, acupuncture releases natural pain-relieving chemicals into the bloodstream.
Therapists apply this treatment for patients suffering from jaw pain, migraines, headaches, and chronic pain. Our bodies store energy in different core points called acupoints. These pressure points also release energy through stress relief in patients suffering from depression.
2. Aromatherapy therapy
Many essential oils have healing qualities. Aromatherapy harnesses this healing power to treat mental stress and sleeping problems. The body tenses up after daily stress, making it hard to relax during sleep. Essential oils like lavender and camomile help patients relax and fall into a deep sleep. People believe the oils can cure colds by clearing blocked sinuses and airways.
Holistic therapists administer aromatherapy in different methods. Sometimes, the oils come in bath oils, creams, and oil burners. However, there are cases of allergic reactions to essential oils. If you experience allergies, consult a trained aromatherapist for the best products for you.
3. Massage therapy
Massage therapy uses skin touch to boost blood circulation and overall physical health. This technique stimulates the tissues in the body, from the tendons to the ligament, to enhance well-being. Holistic therapists recommend this method for everyone, regardless of the state of their health. However, massage therapy also treats stress symptoms, muscle spasms, osteoarthritis, and body pain.
Beyond treating illnesses, massage therapy also improves patients suffering from other conditions through stress and pain relief. Many therapists in this field adopt ancient Asian practices like Shiatsu and Tuina. You can also enjoy Western methods like Swedish massage and clinical massage.
4. Homeotherapy therapy
Practiced by over 200 million people worldwide, homeopathy exists on the logic of the body’s ability to heal itself. Our bodies have immune systems that help us fight illnesses at different levels. From headaches to premenstrual symptoms, homeopathic medicine comes in granules, tablets, and creams.
The medication comes from the source of the illness to trigger the body’s supply of antibodies. Doctors dilute these disease-causing substances with water and alcohol to numb the effects on the body. While many orthodox medical practitioners dispute the efficacy of homeotherapy, research shows that the brain triggers pain relief caused by a placebo effect after patients use this treatment.
5. Yoga therapy
Stretching helps you get a start to your day. However, yoga does more for your body beyond your weight loss goals. Yoga is a way to get into holistic medicine without giving up your conventional medical treatments. Yoga uses posture work, breathing exercises, and meditation to help boost your mental and physical health.
Behavioral therapists recommend yoga for patients with anxiety and depression as a subtle means of including physical exercise into their daily routines. There are many yoga styles to choose from, like Bikram and Hatha. These days, you’ll find many beginner exercises on the internet. You can also consult a professional trainer to help with your posture and form.
6. Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine uses plants to treat different illnesses. This holistic healing therapy also believes that plants enhance the body’s well-being compared to animal sources. Many pharmaceutical drugs like aspirin come from plant sources.
Herbal medicine uses a similar system to orthodox medicine, where practitioners prescribe plant-based drugs for different conditions. However, they also use holistic approaches to address the source of the illness, compared to only addressing the symptoms.
7. Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation work together to boost mental wellness. Therapists believe in the power of mastering the mind. Through meditation and mindfulness, patients can combat symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional stress.
Mindful meditation uses breathwork to help patients focus and connect with their environment. Doing this helps control their emotions and assess how they react to negative thoughts. Medical doctors also recommend mindfulness meditation to patients suffering from other conditions like cancer to help them keep calm and navigate the negative emotions associated with their illnesses.
