Burning sage. Cupping. Dry needling. For some, these alternative therapies have had life-changing effects when it comes to pain relief or feeling well. For many others, the tried-and-true pain relievers, regular exercise, and regular visits to doctor are the way to go.
Wellness fits into both worlds. The general idea behind wellness is to feel good in your own skin in a healthy way. Getting the right amount of sleep, eating the right things, and living an active lifestyle all play a role.
So, what’s the right path? Can alternative therapy be a part of your wellness journey? That depends.
In general, the term “alternative therapy” refers to any health treatment not standard in Western medical practice. When used alongside standard medical practices, alternative approaches are referred to as “complementary” medicine.
Complementary and alternative therapies are difficult to define as they encompass not only diet and exercise changes, but also hypnosis, chiropractic adjustment, and using herbs among other treatments. The benefits of alternative therapies are hotly contested as more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of nearly all these practices, but that hasn’t stopped people from checking them out.
Some alternative therapies have made their way into the mainstream, one of the biggest being herbal medicine. How many of us swear by herbal tea to help relax? This alternative therapy uses parts of a plant — its roots, leaves, berries, or flowers — to heal the body. Drinking cranberry juice, for example, is widely accepted to help with urinary tract infections.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80% of people around the world use herbal medicine. Studies show certain herbs are effective in treating several health issues, like allergies, premenstrual syndrome, chronic fatigue, and more.
Chiropractic medicine is another form of alternative therapy. This practice focuses on the body’s structure — mainly the spine — and how it functions. A trained professional called a chiropractor uses different techniques to adjust (“manipulate”) your spine or other parts of your body so that they’re in proper form, or alignment. The goal of chiropractic medicine is to ease pain, improve body function, and help your body to heal itself naturally. Much of the research around it has focused on low back pain. But studies show chiropractic can also be helpful for several other ailments, like headaches, neck pain, joint problems in your upper and lower body, and disorders caused by whiplash.
With the help or advice of your healthcare professional, a nutritionist or licensed therapist, you might want to try an alternative therapy, but do your research first. Be aware that some alternative therapies can do more harm than good.
And listen to your body — no one knows it better than you do.
