Reiki as a Holistic Treatment

Reiki is a fairly straightforward concept. Essentially, there is energy that flows in the universe. A person can be trained to harness this energy in a way so that they can treat medical, emotional, or spiritual problems in a patient or in themselves. While reiki cannot completely heal a person with an illness, it can be used to supplement more conventional treatments.

Reiki is done by having the practitioner lay his or her hands on the patient and focus the flow of energy into the affected area. Some reiki practitioners believe that the energy will flow to where it is needed, while other practitioners require that the patient tell them where the treatment should be focused. After extensive training, reiki practitioners can treat themselves, as well as treat another person without actually touching them. Some people confuse reiki with massage therapy, but the two are nothing alike; reiki does not require the manipulation of the body.

Meditating On Science Fiction

For science fiction fans, mediation is nothing new. While the actual, real-life practice of meditation varies greatly from practitioner to practitioner, it is not at all like the forms of meditation portrayed in the movies and on TV. Generally, movies and TV programs show meditation as a way for the practitioner to accomplish something other than personal wellbeing.

In many science fiction movies characters will use mediation as a way to focus their energies against their foes. Some science fiction films show protagonists recharging their mental or physical abilities with meditation, while others use these meditative practices for things like telepathy. Still there are instances of semi-real meditation practices. For example, in the television show Stargate SG1, some species use meditation to obtain access to a higher level of existence, much like real life practicing Buddhists do.

Types of Yoga Practice

While many people think that there is only one type of yoga practice, there are actually quite a few. Some of these include Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Ashtanga yoga, and Bikram yoga. Each is unique in how they are practiced, though many teachers integrate the techniques of each into classes.

Hatha yoga is the general type of yoga done at a slow pace. If you are a beginner, this is a good place to start. Vinyasa yoga uses poses called sun salutations that are used in conjunction with breathing. Ashtanga yoga is a little more physical in that is uses coordinated patterns of repeating poses that are done in continual movement. Bikram yoga is also called hot yoga because it is performed in a very warm room; this stimulates sweating to cleanse the body and also helps to loosen tense muscles.

Should We Be Skeptical of Iridology?

It is believed that the human iris cannot change during the course of a person’s life. The iris forms when the person is still in the uterus, and though there can be some color changes within the iris during the first year of a person’s life, this is generally the only natural change that occurs. Some glaucoma patients get iris variations after treatment, but there are no other changes to the iris, despite illness. This, of course, brings about the question what is the iridologist looking at if a person’s eye never changes?

Iridologists and proponents of iridology generally feel that the problems a person has, particularly illnesses, can be determines by whatever variations are visible in the iris. They do not necessarily look for changes in the iris. However, it can also be argued that if the iridologist is not looking for changes, he is not able to diagnose any illnesses at all.

How Far are Herbs from Pharmaceuticals?

The thought of using herbal medicines to treat colds, headaches, and even chronic illnesses can send the average person into a state of shock. The fact is that most people in Western countries think of herbs as the medicines of barbaric medieval surgeons and tribal “witch” doctors. But while this was and is certainly true, most of these people would be shocked to discover that many of the pharmaceuticals commonly used in Western medicine are derived from these same “barbaric” herbs.

Western medicine frequently uses herbs like digitalis and even opium to treat many of the medical complaints and illnesses of the average, modern person. Digitalis is actually a plant from the Scrophulariaceae biological family and is closely related to the common English foxglove plant. Opium is used to create many pain medications commonly prescribed for hospital patients; it is created from seed pods of the opium poppy.

Consistency and Reflexology

With most therapies, whether they are traditional medical therapies, physical therapies, alternative therapies, or natural therapies, consistency is key. Keeping up with treatments that help you feel better and lessen or relieve your symptoms is the ideal way to help your body deal with an illness.

Reflexology, like other alternative therapies such as massage therapy, should be done regularly if the patient is to reap long-lasting benefits. In China, reflexology is done six times a week for a period of two weeks; then the patient is reevaluated to see what his or her status is. For home reflexology, it can be as easy as having your partner give you a hand massage every night before bed, or using a foot roller while you watch TV or eat dinner. The best way to boost the efficacy of reflexology is to do it consistently, even if that is only for five or ten minutes every day.

Aromatherapy: Stinky and Soothing Smells

A lot of people like to use different smells in their homes to cover unpleasant odors. In fact, there is a whole retail industry based on the public’s desire to eliminate nasty smells from their homes. But plug-in air fresheners, potpourri sprays, and scented candles are not necessarily aromatherapy products. The scents are not meant to sooth; rather they are meant to disguise.

Aromatherapy is actually the practice of using plant oils and extracts to bring about a sense of wellbeing in people. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with other alternative medicine treatments like massage therapy. There are approximately 90 essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy treatments, and each one has a unique profile and individual purpose. But some essential oils are used together to create an effect that is different than that of the oils when used individually.

The Philosophy of Herbalism

Herbalists, or practitioners of herbal medicine, believe in the use of herbal medicines to treat common medical complaints. This is not to say that herbalists do not use, or believe in the use of, conventional pharmaceutical medications. Many herbalists simply think that the use of pharmaceuticals should be limited to emergency situations.

So the question remains, why do herbalists believe in the use of herbs to treat everyday problems and illnesses? Many herbal medicines are thought to actually help the person not only defeat the symptoms of a cold or other medical problem, but to actually help build a resistance to the illnesses. Herbs can do this because they provide natural and nutritional benefits to the person as opposed to introducing foreign chemicals to the person’s body. Herbs can also boost the human immune system, which in turn helps the person build resistance to disease.

Theories on Light Therapy Safety

Light therapy uses ultraviolet and other types of light to treat a wide range of illnesses and medical and emotional problems. Almost anything from skin problems to emotional distress and depression can be at least helped by light therapy. But as with most medical and alternative therapies, there are some disadvantages to light therapy.

It is widely known and acknowledged by the medical community that ultraviolet light is damaging to the skin. It breaks down vitamins A and C in the skin, and can damage the skin’s collagen. Some genetic damage has also been seen with extended exposure to UV. Blue light is also used in some light therapy; unfortunately, blue light can cause breaks in cellular DNA. While the cells can usually repair themselves, research has shown that cancer can easily develop in damaged cells like those injured by blue light exposure.