complementary medicine

A growing number of people have become interested in alternative medicine to treat illnesses. Alternative medicine as a practice has created a significant amount of controversy both inside and outside the traditional medical field. Alternative medicine refers to a treatment or substance that is unproven under the application or accepted scientific standards. The most common types of alternative medicine include herbs
supplements
therapies and activities that are outside traditional medical practice. Some of these raise questions about their safety and effectiveness.

Acupuncture
massage
meditation
herbal tea
and plant extracts are popular among devotees of alternative medicine
but many traditional doctors believe these treatments are ineffective or even dangerous. Alternative medicine has become increasingly popular as more people face the aches
pains
and illnesses that accompany aging. In some cases
individuals have not obtained a cure with traditional medical approaches and turn to other options to treat their illness. In still other cases
people feel very strongly that natural methods of treatment are better than traditional medicine
so they look for answers from alternative practitioners instead of the family doctor.

There are risks associated with alternative medicine. Some of the risks arise through the use of untested
ineffective
and even unsafe substances. The manufacturers of these substances sometimes exaggerate the claims of their effectiveness. They may misrepresent the science related to the material to convince consumers to buy the product
even if its use can endanger a person’s health.

Some herbal remedies are advertised as being able to improve memory
raise metabolism
or cure cancer and heart disease. In reality
the remedies may cause harm if taken at high doses. Another risk is that someone with a serious disease like cancer will not receive traditional and proven treatments
preferring to use alternative methods that may not be effective. In these cases
people are risking their lives. Sometimes
patients may be using alternative treatments
but not telling their doctors about them. This can lead to dangerous drug interactions. If a traditional doctor is unaware of the substance a patient is taking
medications that produce harmful interactions may be unknowingly prescribed.

It is possible to recognize potentially risky alternative treatment. If a treatment sounds too good to be true
it probably is. While this is a clich้
it is often very true in situations involving alternative medicines. Be careful of products labeled ‘miraculous’ or ‘ancient remedy.’ If you are thinking about treatments such as acupuncture or reflexology
check the qualifications of the practitioner before being treated. Ask about the training received
and research the treatment to determine if it has been scientifically tested and found to be effective.

It’s a good idea to ask your doctor about an alternative treatment you are considering. Trained medical professionals have the experience and education to help you make safe decisions about your health.

Self improvement (or self help) tools come in many shapes and sizes; sometimes it’s physical in nature (a self help book
having a massage
painting with water colors)
or spiritual in nature (flower essences
Reiki
meditation which is both physical and spiritual
etc).

Five of the best self help options that I’ve used successfully to help soothe my own mind
body and spirit
are:

1. Meditation techniques – a fabulous self help tool which greatly benefits overall health and wellbeing. There are many techniques to choose from such as:

Visually guided meditations;

Candle meditation;

Breathing meditation;

Crystal meditation;

Writing meditation (alternating using dominant and non-dominant hand);

Walking meditation;

Body scanning; and

A self healing meditation using either color; breathe work; aromatherapy; etc.

2. Painting with water colors
pastels or oil paints – express your uniqueness through art. This is a wonderful self help tool to employ for inner healing
letting go and for creating something new (a masterpiece for your lounge room wall).

3. Vibrational essences. Part of ancient wisdom
vibrational essences are used in healing to assist with the removal of emotional blocks and patterns
as well as resolving issues from past lives.

Essences are generally in liquid form and can also be used in creams
ointments and oils (I sometimes combine mine with an aromatherapy oil blend).

Vibrational substances are derived from light (sun
moon etc)
healing energy (universal or spiritual energy
prana
Reiki etc)
plants (flowers
stems
leaf etc)
mineral (crystals
gold etc)
environmental (sacred places)
or animal.

Some examples of essences available (there are many) to explore further as a self help tool are:

Flower
Gem
Angel
Shell
Coral
Sea
Goddess
and Chakra essences

4. Journal writing is a fabulous self help healing tool connecting you with your true essence
your spiritual self.

Find yourself a special journal/diary to write in; something special to write with (can be brightly colored inks or the more traditional black
blue or reds) and make a date with yourself to do some journal writing every morning at the same time (before rising out of bed).

I’ve practiced journal writing as a self help tool for many years and still find it
to this day
one of the greatest self help and self improvement tools around – and it costs nothing!

Write out your worries
sadness
loneliness
or whatever is playing on your mind. When you’ve done that write in your journal the excitement
enthusiasm and passion you intend to experience for the day ahead
the projects you’re working on
friends you’ll catch up with
food you’ll eat
possible miracles that might happen
shopping to be done
your work day etc.

5. Have a massage. Treat yourself to some bodywork like a Swedish massage. Swedish is a more traditional or western soft tissue type of massage
however if you’re after something a little more unique for healing mind
body
and spirit you could choose:

Aromatherapy massage – there’s nothing quite like this one using essential oils for body
mind and spirit.

Ka Huna
LomiLomi – gentle
relaxing
soothing and stretching massage (even watching this massage is relaxing);

Reflexology – therapeutic hand and foot massage;

Reiki – hands on energy healing (aligns Chakras etc)

Vichy Shower – warm water is directed over your body
gently massaging it (this is heavenly
especially after a salt scrub).

Acupressure – form of bodywork based on Chinese Meridian theory

Ayurvedic – part of a traditional detoxification and rejuvenation program of India called Panchakarma – vigorious massage with warm oils and herbs to remove toxins
is calming and balancing
and facilitates profound inner peace.

Hot stone massage – warm smooth stones are applied to the body and employed by the therapist’s hands.

A massage not listed that I experienced while ago was a form of Swedish massage. I was given small smooth rocks to hold in either hand
at the end of the massage the therapist held my feet and ‘tuned’ me
which sounded like a clarinet going up and down the scales. To say I felt relaxed and energised at the same time is an understatement. It was amazing.

I’ve road tested many self help tools over the years; it’s been an amazing journey with the most profound assistance coming from spirit. Sometimes good comes from being blinded by the light.

Michaela Scherr
Spiritual Growth Advocate

What to do?

Luckily for me there’s always been that curiosity of what’s out there in the alternative world including the alternative therapies. I’ve tried many of them over the years and will continue to do so
all in the hope I can make things better for my body
mind and spirit. And it has.

I’m aware that what may work for me may not work for someone else
so the message is to keep trying until you find something that will suit your needs.

Many times I’ve been told they’ve tried everything. What is everything? What it actually boiled down to you could count on one hand. It’s worthwhile to keep searching
you may find that your world expands in a most amazing way by the making of new friendships (I have) and picking up useful skills for your ‘self-healing’ tool-kit.

So what do I do when I’ve reached a cross-road and need some direction or could do with some healing?

Below I’ve listed 5 basic points that have helped to lift my spirit and with practice will also help yours:

1. Meditation! Meditation is one of the greatest self healing tools available and costs nothing except a little of your time! There are many meditation techniques out there
find one that suits you and begin.

By putting some meditation music on and spending time in quiet contemplation it can soothe your soul and reconnect you with the highest aspect of yourself.

2. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.

Rebalance and rejuvenate your spirit through blending a selection of essential oils together in an aromatherapy oil burner. I’ve found the following blend works extremely well when there’s a need for nurturing
support and healing:

Approximately an hour before retiring to bed place a few drops of the following in an aromatherapy oil burner with some water (for safety’s sake
extinguish the flame before lights are turned off for the night):

4 drops Jasmine

4 drops Rose

4 drops Neroli

3 drops Lavender

3 drops Bergamot

The smell divine! I use this one every now and again and not only sleep like a baby but anxiety and stress disappears
and feels like the weight of the world has lifted from my shoulders by the following morning! (If you have a small bedroom you might like to half the amount of drops)

3. Breathe! Stand with feet a shoulder-length apart. Take 3 slow and deep breaths using the diaphragm muscles. Breathe in through the nose
and breathe out through slightly parted lips. As you do these imagine you’re inhaling your personal power
filling every cell in your body
from your diaphragm up to the top of your head.

Be your personal power and notice how much taller
straighter and stronger you become. Repeat the steps above.

4. Be in the Present Moment. Take a few deep breaths and focus totally on this moment
right now.

If you’re reading a book or magazine
or even this article
totally focus on the words and take in their meaning. There is only you and this article now in the present moment.

If you’re in the workplace
focus totally on the task at hand
and only this task
and what you must do in order to complete it. Nothing else matters except you and the task at hand.

5. Set an intention. When I’m on the lookout for something new and useful for me
I set my intention on what it is I’m after.

For example
I may want to find a book that will give me answers in regards to directing me to another healing modality or skill. I then meditate on this intention
give it a timeframe then open my heart to it. Lo and behold I will have a book in my hand in no time at all! I love the power of intention – I also use intention for getting a parking space when I go shopping!

These days I rarely get sick and when I do and have a medical checkup
doctors tell me I’m actually very healthy (surely they can find something so I can get some sympathy around here!) which also includes blood test results.

I still do sadness and unhappiness well (I’m still human) though neither lasts long whereas in the past it would last many days sometimes weeks. What lasts much longer is a peaceful state.

When using the 5 points above
my spirit lifts and life once again becomes more peaceful and joyful.