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Methods and Modalities

Herbs and Botanicals
Herbal medicine -- also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine -- refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease.

 

 

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness meditation has been adopted by western culture due to its undeniable holistic benefits. It is a research-based type of meditation that utilizes ancient practices to achieve states of awareness of self which leads to calming of the mind and emotions for increased psychological and cognitive clarity. It is a simple technique that can be either self-taught or learned in a group setting. Over time this becomes a very natural state of mind that is effortless for regular practitioners to get to which can drastically improve quality of life. This ability to become grounded through mindfulness meditation, especially in the midst of stress, can have invaluable benefits including true peace of mind, clear headedness and an overall improvement in holistic balance and well-being. Mindfulness has been applied in a variety of clinical therapies, notably mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy, as well as part of some physical treatments.

 

Acupressure

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. It involves placing physical pressure, by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices, on different pressure points on the surface of the body (which may be far distant from the symptom, related by what is called the meridian system) to bring about relief through greater balance and circulation of fluids (blood, lymph) and metabolic energies in the body (heat, qi).

 

  • Nutrition: Going Processed-Free

  • Acupressure

  •  Herbs and Botanicals

  • Mindfulness & Meditation

  • Reflexology

  • Therapeutic Massage

  • Energy Work / Reiki

  • Vibrational Medicine

  • Homeopathy

  • Bach Flower Therapy

  • Aromatherapy

Nutrition: Going Processed-Free
Highly processed foods include man-made, pseudo-foods such as artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. Processed foods often have non-food constituents added to them like bleaching agents, solvents, and alkalizing agents, and are often fortified with synthetic vitamins. “Processed foods” refer to those that are entirely man-made or have had parts removed or added to them, such as the refining of corn into high fructose corn syrup or the bleaching and enriching of white flour. We tach the fundamentals of eating processed free through Dee McCaffreys Processed Free America guidlines. Classes include instruction and cooking lessons for a day of fun and shared knowledge.

 

Reflexology
Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person's general health. For example, reflexology holds that a specific spot in the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder point. When a reflexology practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to apply appropriate pressure to this area, it affects bladder functioning.

 

Therapeutic Massage
Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, or motion. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, feet, or a massage device. Massage can promote relaxation and well-being. Methods of self-massage for pain management, stress relief, relaxation, and mental clarity are taught.
 
Energy Work / Reiki

The arts of healing and energy work encompass a broad range of techniques from those based on ancient practices to those derived from modern research.  While research is stronger for some areas of energywork and healing as it is for others, what we do know is that energy exists and the power and intent of the mind can be used to heal. People may see an energyworker because they are affilitated with a particular faith, they prefer the chosen technique over other treatments, a/or nothing else has worked. Many people may use energy work in conjunction with other forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine such as acupuncture, bodywork and herbal medicine.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

 

Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

 

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

 

Vibrational Medicine

Vibrational medicine is another broad category of energy healing. It is based on the idea that energy vibrates at particular speeds or wavelengths and imbalances exist when this energy is not operating at an efficient level. One of the most popular examples of vibrational medicine is the use of sound and music, chanting, and drums in a therapeutic appilcation for the cardiovascular and immune  system health. The practitioner may also make use of crystals, colors, magnets, tuning forks, cold laser, or other devices to correct these energetic imbalances and restore health.

 

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Homeopathy is based on the viewpoint that the origin of illness is an imbalance in the inherent self-healing process of the human body. Symptoms whether mental, emotional, or physical, are expressions of this imbalance and are a result of a deeper disturbance within the person as a whole. Homeopathy is a safe, effective system, used by millions of people worldwide. Homeopathic remedies are prepared from natural sources found in the plant, animal or mineral kingdoms, and are used in extremely small amounts. Homeopathy has no side effects and no contraindications with prescription medications

Bach Flower Essence Therapy

Bach flower remedies were introduced in the 1930s by Edward Bach, M.D., (1886-1936) a British physician, who developed what he called a "theory of types" by which he divided people into seven groups based on their reactions to illness. He listed these types as fear, uncertainty, loneliness, oversensitivity, lack of interest in present circumstances, despondency, and over-concern for others. Dr. Bach believed that negative moods and emotions were responsible for the breakdown in health that leads to illness and determined that treatment had to address patients' emotional and mental states. He devised 38 wild flower essences, or remedies, for treatment for these negative moods and emotions. More floral remedies have since been added by Dr. Bach's followers. Proponents of flower remedies reportedly maintain that their mode of action does not depend on molecular or pharmacological mechanisms but on the subtle energy that is transmitted from the flowers to this remedy.

 

 

Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process. Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering one's mood, cognitive, psychological or physical wellbeing.

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