Alternative Healing Methods
We know you hear about many different kinds of natural health and wellness treatments or products that have worked for someone you know. So here's our opinion of some of these. If you'd like our opinion of one that's not listed here, send us an email.
Alternative medicine
This is a catch-all term for everything that wasn't invented by MDs. Personally, it's our first choice but you have to keep your eyes open when using alternative medicine--just because it worked for your friend doesn't mean it'll work for you. It's up to you to determine if something is likely to help. Everything on this page is "alternative medicine."
Cleansing Protocols
A really well-executed website, www.curezone.com, that has natural health and wellness protocols (primarily herbal medicine and cleansing) for many diseases, chronic and otherwise. We haven't looked through all the protocols but it appears well-researched and offers excellent suggestions. Click on the "Ailments" menu option to see the list of protocols.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In our opinion, Chinese medicine should be your first choice if you can find a certified practitioner. Acupuncture is a powerful technique that needs extensive training. We wouldn't use anyone who is not certified by the NCCAOM. They also certify practitioners in Chinese herbology.
Tai Chi and Qiqong
You can heal a lot of physical problems with these two Chinese exercise disciplines which have beneficial effects on the body's energy system. We think everyone should be doing some form of either or both.
Other Exercise Programs
Any exercise is good, but excessive exercise is usually bad. Be moderate, start slowly and consult with your health care provider about the changes that happen to your body.
Herbal medicine
We are generally in favor of using herbs, but make sure you're buying a reputable brand from a reputable company. Some herbs have little or no active ingredients regardless of what it says on the label. Use whole herbs if you can find a reliable source. Otherwise use standardized herbs since these are supposed to be a standard strength.
Remember that herbs are medicines that can harm you under some circumstances and may interfere with your pharmaceuticals or other herbs. Use them intelligently and get the advice of your MD is you have any doubts about their compatibility with your prescription drugs.
Supplements
Optimizing natural health and wellness means you really need to supplement your vitamins and minerals. The soil generally has been over-farmed and no longer has sufficient minerals. Again, buy a reputable brand of moderate cost. Some companies are charging way too much for supplements so that you'll think you're getting superior quality. Don't buy cheap, artificial, drug-store brands either.
Yoga and Meditation
Meditation is crucial to spiritual and energetic health. Find a way to meditate if you aren't already. Meditation is part of yoga. Yoga isn't just twisting the body in Hatha Yoga postures; Yoga is the mastery of the activities of the mind-field. See Swami J's website for a full description of yoga and meditation.
Body Work
Body work is very beneficial. You may think of it for aches and pains but it is useful as part of your spiritual path. It is often a beneficial part of mental health treatments. Here's a table of available methods.
Biofeedback
This has been around for many years and is now in the mainstream. We recommend it as a way of changing the way your mind controls your body. Think about this; if you can be trained to control a bodily function like blood pressure; what is your mind doing to your body without proper training? How many of our problems are caused by our mind producing a negative influence?
New Age Treatments
I'm going to lump several things in together here. Magnets, crystals, anything that claims to vibrate at some special frequency is probably a rip-off. Magnets and crystals probably have an effect on the human body but no one knows what it is. It doesn't make sense to treat the body with such random energies when there are more specific and proven remedies available.