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Glossary
of Professional Services |
Acupuncture
Thin, solid, sterile stainless-steel
needles are inserted into specific points to stimulate the body's
natural energy (Qi or Chi). In 1997, the National Institutes
of Health officially recognized acupuncture as an effective treatment
for pain and nausea. |
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Alexander Technique
In this form of movement education,
practitioners use gentle hands-on guidance, and leads the client
through a series of lessons designed to improve postural habits,
increase freedom of movement, and reduce physical tension. |
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Aromatherapy
Pure essential oils are used to treat
stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments.
Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy,
acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic, and other
methods of holistic healing. |
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Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is India's traditional, natural system of
medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. This
complete holistic health system for mind, body, and spirit treats
the patient as a whole rather than treating symptoms alone, and
it works as a preventative means of coping with imbalance and
disease. |
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Bodywork
A general term used to describe any
type of manual, manipulative healing modality that aims to restore
health of body mind and spirit. Some examples include massage,
craniosacral therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy. |
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Chinese Medicine
A holistic perspective on health and
illness which treats the relationship of a symptom to the person
as a whole. Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses a vast range
of therapies including acupuncture, herbs, bodywork, exercise
and diet. |
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Chiropractic
Correction of misalignment of the
vertebrae using spinal manipulation and adjustments. Licensed
in all 50 states, chiropractic doctors make up the largest single
group of alternative medicine practitioners in the United States. |
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Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the colon
through gentle water infusions. Colonics are recommended for
ailments such as constipation, psoriasis, acne, allergies, headaches,
and are used for general health balance. |
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Craniosacral Therapy
This therapy uses a combination of
gentle pressure and holding on the client's skull to release
tension and to restore balance. It is used to treat chronic pain,
migraine headaches, TMJ, and a range of other conditions. |
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Guided Imagery
This technique concentrates on using
images or symbols to train the mind to create a definitive physiological
or psychological effect. Practitioners may teach clients how
to relieve physical problems caused by stress, such as tension
headaches. The technique has also been effectively used in some
cancer treatment programs for pain management. |
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Herbal Therapy
Natural plants or plant-based substances
are used to treat a range of illnesses and to enhance the functioning
of the body's systems. Though herbal therapy is not a licensed
professional modality in the U.S., herbs are prescribed by a
range of practitioners, form holistic M.D.s to acupuncturists
to naturopaths. |
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Homeopathy
Based on the hypothesis of "like
cures like" and a deep emphasis on the principles of holistic
medicine (treat the whole person). Homeopathic remedies work
by stimulating the body's own healing power by introducing tiny
doses of natural substances that should stimulate a person's
immune system and defense system to correct itself naturally. |
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Kinesiology
The study of the anatomy, physiology,
and mechanics of body movement. Also known as "muscle testing,"
it can be used to determine the root cause of a condition. Practitioners
view the body as an intelligent computer that knows exactly what
is wrong and what is needed to restore balance. Using certain
methods, a practitioner can identify the problem area and treat
it effectively. It is very effective in treating sports injuries,
as they are often the result of an imbalance in the muscle structure.
There are several branches of Kinesiology, including Applied,
Clinical and Educational. |
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Medical-Holistic
Differing from traditional allopathic
(Western) medicine, holistic medicine looks at the whole person,
including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional,
social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated
modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery,
if no safe alternative exists. It also focuses on education and
self-responsibility to achieve balance and well being. |
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Medical-Osteopathic
Osteopathy is an established recognized
system of diagnosis and treatment, which lays its main emphasis
on the structural and functional integrity of the body. It is
distinctive by the fact that it recognizes that much of the pain
and disability that we suffer from stems from abnormalities in
the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to
it by disease. |
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Naturopathic Medicine
Adhering to the principles of holistic
medicine, naturopathic doctors can use various natural methods
to treat patients, including nutritional supplements, herbal
medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle counseling. In many states,
naturopathic doctors (ND) are legally defined as physicians licensed
to diagnose and treat in a general family practice. Some NDs
are also licensed midwives or licensed acupuncturists. Note:
It is recommended that you ask the Practitioner their background
and credentials. |
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Nutritional Therapy
Nutritionists counsel clients on a
wide variety of issues ranging from proper levels of vitamins,
minerals and other nutrients to weight loss, food allergies and
optimal health. Many follow a "whole foods" approach
to proper diet. |
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Pain Management
Several kinds of practitioners offer
pain management, including medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors,
psychologists, dietitians, acupuncturists and others. Techniques
vary depending of the practitioner's training. |
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Pilates
Developed in the 1920s by the founder
of the Pilates Studio®, Joseph H. Pilates, The Pilates Method
is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength
for the total body without building bulk. Not surprisingly, some
of the first people to use the Pilates Method were dancers such
as Martha Graham and George Balanchine. The Pilates Method is
not just exercise, however. It is a series of controlled movements
engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed
exercise apparatus and supervised by extensively trained teachers. |
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Yoga
A system of exercises, postures, breathing,
meditation and relaxation. Students learn self-control and a
state of being at one with oneself. |
