Traditional Western Medicine does have a lot to offer, and can save many lives, but often there are other complimentary therapies that can help in the healing process, or in prevention of illness. Especially when considering the complications which are known to occur from the use of some pharmaceutical medications.



Some of the complimentary therapies to consider are: Nutritional-based interventions, Dieticians or Nutritionists, Vitamin Therapies and Dietary Supplements, Massage Therapies, Chiropractic Therapies, Physiotherapy, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Hypnotherapy, Chinese Medicines, Yoga and Tai Chi, Meditation, Visualisation, Acupuncture, Acupressure, EFT, NLP, Reiki, Shamanic healing, Chakra Balancing, to name a few.

The first area to consider is the grouping of nutritional-based assessments, dietary supplements, naturopathy, dieticians and nutritionists. An assessment of current nutritional intake and requirements is a great basis to start. The body needs to be provided with the right fuel to be able to function effectively, and when faced with a health challenge the need can be even greater. Nutrition levels are further compromised by our modern diets of packaged and processed foods.

Healthy choices such as fruit and vegetables also do not have the same nutritional content that they contained years ago, as our soils become leached. Levels of pesticides and other chemicals can be high, and organic options are becoming more popular. Fruit is at its optimum in nutrition when it is first picked, but then it has to be packed, transported and stored. It becomes very difficult to obtain sufficient daily nutritional needs with food intake and nutritional supplements can assist in maintaining good health.

Another new concern with our food, is the genetic modification which is tampering with the genetic structure of our food, and the potential and unknown consequences.

Although taking nutritional supplements seems like a non-complicated option, there can be serious consequences in some cases. If taking medications, coping with a health challenge or undergoing medical procedures, it is important to check with your doctor. For example, a recent study has shown that supplements such as antioxidants interfere with chemotherapy because as well as being helpful to healthy cells, it tends to be helping the cancer cells in fighting off the chemotherapy, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

The activity level is another consideration. Exercise is important to the body also, and if there is a health challenge, a physiotherapist and chiropractor could provide necessary guidance.

Daily activity can improve circulation, blood pressure, and can assist in preventing diabetes and obesity. Yoga and Tai Chi are often considered excellent options for providing non-strenuous exercise and increasing flexibility, as well as reducing stress. Swimming is regarded as helpful in controlling and overcoming asthma as well as for general exercise and well-being.

Clinical Hypnotherapy, NLP, EFT and Meditation can help ease stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy and NLP can work with the mind-body connection in facilitating change. Harnessing the power of the subconscious mind is a powerful tool.

Visualisation is a therapy that is often used for relaxation, and has also been used successfully in cancer therapies. The patient used various visualisation methods to see, in their minds eye, the cancer being vanquished from the body.

Ancient Chinese Medicine, previously pushed aside and belittled by Western Medicine, has been acknowledged more recently as providing some effective options. One such area is the ancient art of acupuncture. Acupuncture works on the basis of meridians of energy through the body.

It is thought that blockages can occur in the flow of energy through the body and that when this occurs illness can be a result. The acupuncturist identifies these areas and works to release the blockages in the meridians of the body by applying fine needles at specific points on the body.

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, except that the process is applied with pressure points on the body, and not with needles. EFT uses tapping points on the body, specifically around the face and on the hands, combined with repeated statements.

Reflexology and Iridology, similarly, are related to the energy channels of the body. In reflexology, areas of the foot are massaged. Parts of the foot are said to be related to various parts of the body. Iridologists look to the eyes for diagnosis of the state of health of various areas and organs of the body. The iris is seen as a map of the body and the iridologist identifies areas of concern.

Fortunately, these days, there are some medical centres which are now combining the standard medical services with the complementary medicines, giving patients the opportunity to make informed choices about their health and their treatments.

More information is becoming available to the public on alternative options. Many people are now choosing to be more informed and seeking additional information. More are now making choices of complementary therapies, often choosing organic foods, and being more attentive to food choices in general and being more aware of maintaining regular exercise. Health is too precious to be taken for granted.