Alternative Therapies are Trending in..

In my constant search for knowledge on healing and therapies, I kept collating a lot of experiential knowledge. This is a very comprehensive compilation which will provide you an peek into some forms of alternative therapies. 

Therapies

In this amazing and spectacular universe, Man has always been in a constant search of cure. Cure as such is a very wholistic word. Cure the mind, body, energy, karmic effects, etc. There seems to be no end to this search as the spectrum of cure has various shades and colours. This is where Alternative therapies are Trending.  

Since the ancient civilization, until now therapies are from Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, healing using various mechanisms. Each civilization, cultures have developed its own system of cure. The subjects are so deep and the knowledge shared from generations is so much, many a times the core of the subject is lost somewhere in the transition. Yet there are tremendous efforts taken and dedicated to preserve this invention or discoveries.  

The major 5 different ways of administering medicines are orally, through ear, through eyes, through nose and through skin

Mouth : this includes all therapeutic methods like Ayurveda, Allopathy, homeopathy and yunani medical systems

Ear: includes sound therapy and music therapy , Auricular therapy

Eyes: includes chrome therapy, sun rays therapy, Hypnotherapy, art therapy  etc.

Nose: Includes Aromatherapy

Skin : Massage therapy, Accupressure, Acupunture, Reiki etc

Therapy is a blend of science and mystery, intuition and skill.

A lot of people now prefer Accupressure, acupuncture, and similar alternative therapies, since these have very little side effect or have nil, are cost effective and see cure from multiple dimensions. Many being from the root causes.  They also feel less stressed because of the non invasive mechanisms. 

Accupressure

When there is uneasiness in our body, automatically we tend to reach out to that body part with our hand.  Our mind directs us to place our hand on the affected area. Many a times it does provide a little relief. Some pains even vanish by simple movements or massages by the hand. 

the Concept on which accupressure works is to maintain internal pressure with respect to external pressure in order to stimulate dead or inactive cells and helps attain harmony inside the body naturally. When treating through accupressure, it is done with a fine combination of intuition, knowledge of anatomy of the body and the pressure that one should apply. The success lies in the adequate pressure, strength and the way it is applied. 

Effects
In general the therapy enables the person to feel relaxed, gain good sleep and have a good appetite. It also helps improve immune system, regenerate weak cells. Improve circulatory functions, blood circulation, cardiovascular system, digestive function, improve metabolism, muscular system. Locally, it works as sedation, is effective in motor recovery and acts as analgesic to the body. 

Therapeutic Action

There are various therapeutic actions , to list a few
It maintains and harmonises the energyies, synchronises body mind and soul

Various types of Accupressure 

Shiatsu - a japanese massage technique
Sujok - A Korean accupressure therapy
Meridianology - a traditional chinese accupuncture
Moxibustion - a traditional chinese medicine technique involves burning of herbsto facilitate healing. 
Reflexology: practiced in Asia
Marma Sparsh Chikitsa: traditional indian accupressure technique.

Reflexology

One of the acupressure system is Reflexology and works on the reflex action of the system.  The therapist can follow the following system of reflexology.

 

Hand and foot reflexology

Face reflexology

Spine reflexology

Ear reflexology

 

Reflexology is a study of impact of pressure on the specific area and the result is seen in the actual part of the body.

Hand and Foot Reflexology:

The body is divided into horizontal and vertical zones. These zones help in locating the organic framework of the body lying in one of it 3 main compartments.  Organs above the shoulder lie in first horizontal zone. The organs between the shoulder and diaphragm line lie in the second horizontal zone and the organs. Location of specific organ should be determined by its position in vertical and horizontal zones and that specific position in hand and foot is called as a reflex point of the specific organ between diaphragm line and waist line lie in third horizontal zone .

 

Reflexologists only work with subtle energy flows to revitalize the body and use natural internal healing mechanisms. Through stimulation of the circulatory and lymphatic systems and by the release of toxins, reflexology promotes the body to heal itself.

This is very effective in painful conditions of the body or other disorders by relaxation of the part. The therapy also helps in preventive, curative and promotive aspect of life.  Apart from curing, or diagnostic perspective, this can be used as a preventive mechanism  and retain health in balanced and harmonious condition

One has to ensure that the treatment  should begin by stimulation of the brain and complete with kidney stimulation.  The patient should not be treated just before or after heavy meals, exercise or bath.

Precaution should be taken not to administer the therapy on fractures and cracks and not be practised during menstrual cycle.

Face reflexology is another method where pressures are applied at specific regions of the face, however face is very sensitive and hence care should be taken while applying pressure, mild and firm.

Spine reflexology is very effective. This is a technique which helps iin cases like slip disc, lesion, frozen shoulders, cervical spondylitis and head aches.

Some of the methods are :

Massaging which is mostly used. Any nervous disorder related to brain and spine can be normalised by massaging spinal cord. Massaging should be performed from bottom to top ½ inch away both side of spinal cord. The pressure should be mild. Preferably apply warm or hot oil for easy movement of hands. Ensure not to press the spinal cord.

Other techniques are to apply pressure back- shu point;

Cupping  where suction is applied to the diseased parts of the body.  This increase the regional circulation and thereby promote healing. Thus it eliminate the toxic and waste materials from the body and restores harmony inside the body. This technique helps in balancing spinal cord and muscular system of back.  The mechanism with which it works is on applying it creates a vacuum and after removal it allows to blood to rush up toward vacuum area and resulting in the improvement of neuro muscular system of the spine. This is effective for Back pain, Musclar cramps, Lumbar and cervical spondylitis and other disorders related to spine. 

 

While using cupping on the spinal cord the following precaution should be adopted. It should be applied for minimum of 15 minutes on both sides of spinal cord. IT should be done on muscular area. and Never be applied directly on spinal cord. The patient should remain in a comfortable position on application of cupping. The patient should not have fever, convulsion, oedema, ulcers, abscesses and should not be pregnant.

Spine reflexology helps to correct the deformities in all parts of the body. Helps in relaxing the tendons, ligaments, muscles of the verterbra and ribs. It regulates the neuro system. Helps remove the accumulated body wastes, toxins.

 

Ear Reflexology

 

The concept of this therapy is associating it with the shape of foetus.  It is believed that ear is the place where all the channels meet. This mechanism makes use of the external ear to diagnose and treat illness.  The distributions of ear reflex points simulate a foetus within the womb with a head. The lobe represents the facial area and the antiragus  the head and the anti helixes the trunk.

The ear is a skin covered fibro cartilaginous plate in which concavities are on its inner surface.

 All area of ear must be examined in good light. Even if the therapist is unaware to ear reflexology, he can stimulate the affected point simply by using pressure and identifying the most painful point. Generally 3 kinds of excoriation and vesicle are available in ear reflex region. Frist is yellow that indicates sub chronic state of disease, second is pinkish or red excoriation and vesicles indicates acute disease of related organ and third is black which shows chronic disease of related organ. Sometimes there is no specific identification marks on ear that time reaction point of the diseased organ can be found by pressing the ear with a diagnosis stick or head of match stick. If needle is being used for tonification then reserve end of the need can be used for identification of the points. In recent times, electro exploratory technique is used where a detector is used to find the point. This is more accurate for internal organ disorders

Procedures :

Locate and identify the reflex point.
Stimulate with diagnostic stik for 2 -3 seconds at a time. apply mild pressure in clockwise to tonify and anticlockwise to sedate. If una ble to identify if the organ is hyp or hyperactive then apply mild push or pull pressure at the reflex point.

One could use mustard seeds or similar seeds. You can even use mustard seed paste.  Needles are also used. Ensure to clean the ear well and not to penetrate the cartilage. use short  sterilised needles . Donot penetrate yang and yin surface of the ear at a time.

 

Organ Clock

 Organs and its channels achieve peak level during specific hours.  This clock can be used in diagnosis of the imbalance

 

Time

Organ

Meridian

3am to 5 am	Lung	Lung Meridian
5am to 7 am	Large Intestine	LI Meridian
7am to 9 am	Stomach	Stomach Meridian
9am to 11 am	Spleen	Spleen Meridian
11am to 1 pm	Heart	Heart Meridian
1 pm to 3 pm	Small Intestine	SI Meridian
3pm to 5 pm	Urinary bladder	UB Meridian
5pm to 7 pm	Kidney	Kidney Meridian
7pm to 9 pm	Brain	Brain Meridian
9pm to 11 pm	Spinal cord	SC Meridian
11pm to 1 am	Gall Bladder	GB Meridian
1 am to 3 am	Liver	Liver meridian

 

Excess or deficit energy corresponds to the disorders in that organ or meridian.  For Eg most asthma attacks are during 3 to 5 am.

 Chakra Acupressure

This is a integrated system of healing to harmonise the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical plance of human body.  This therapy creates, controls, maintains and regulates the five basic constituents of human body which has control over the five sense organs. Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. There are many chakras, however six major chakras are used to treat majorly and then the seventh is the sahasrahara chakra which sits above the head and is connected to the divine. Each of the other chakras are connected to the specific area of the body, corresponds to a specific gland or set of glands and nerve plexus and relates to one or more aspects of consciousness.  T

he first chakra is at the coccyx area and the root chakra. This governs the emotions and physical set-up. This deals with material and monetary existence and meeting basic needs. It determines stability, strength and stamina. 
Imbalance in this chakra can cause problems in abdominal area.  A good root chakra indicates that the kidneys and bowels are healthy. The person will be fearless and stress free with a courageous attitude, will be self confident, strong willed and able to trust others.  When there is an imbalance, the person could be a workaholic. and may also be sad. 

The second chakra is at the sacrum area and is called as sacral chakra. it includes the adrenal glands, reproductive organs and kidneys.  It corresponds to sexuality, relationships and creativity, also corresponds to the nurturing abilities, sensation.  A well balanced sacral chakra gives a high level of general vitalityand good sense of humors. The lower abdominal, urinary and reproductive systems will be healthy. Creative problem solving and the ability to work creatively with others will be easily achieved.

The third chakra is associated with solar plexus, the spleen, the pancreas, liver, the gall bladder. This chakra relates to emotions, power and will. it corresponds to production and storage of energy. Imbalance in this chakra can lead to low self esteem, fickle minded, experience uncontrolled extreme emotions such as violent passions, jealousies, anger and frustration, doubts, fears and confusion. A balanced chakra reflects inner strength, great deal of energy, good metabolism, enthusiasm, extrovert and clear thinking

The fourth is heart chakra connected to cardiac plexus, the thymus gland and the brain. it deals with social awareness, love and openness, a sense of devotion, peace, forgiveness, acceptance, kindness and joy.
Imbalance in the fourth chakra could result in heart conditions, including high BP, respiratory disorders, asthma and arthritis of the arms.  Emotionally sensitive, arrogance, selfishness sadness etc. A balance heart chakra person will have balanced relationships and maintain a good balance between material and emotions in life.

The fifth chakra corresponds to thyroid gland and the throat region and the cervical region. It corresponds to the neck and organs of the neck, including the boice box and airway in the throat. This chakra is involved in the verbal expression of all the thoughts and feelings encompassed by the lower chakras. It affects speech and expression, truth and honesty, feelings and intuition, formation of speech, communication and creativity, full of ideas.

imbalance will manifest as sorethroats, loss of voice and neck and throat conditions, headaches , flu and thyroid problems.

The sixth chakra is called the third eye chakra and is associated with the pituitary glad which is the master of all endocrine glands. This corresponds to brain and nervous system. The ears, nose, eyes and sinuses relate to it. intuition, imagination, visualisation and even clairvoyance. The intuition is the link between our intellectual and psychic abilities.

The seventh or the crown chakra relates to the pineal and pituitary gland governs the spiritual power.

To treat the Chakras, align with the breath of the patient with that of yours. Place  ring finger 2mm away from the correspondence point and move finger clockwise direction for about 2 mins for tonification and anticlockwise for sedation. Finally , touch the point and take deep breath along with patient for 3 -5 mins. Repeating the procedure twice a day and for self treatment adopt treatment procedure during sunrise and sunset.

Read my other blogs to know more on healing techniques.
Experience the Magic of Mudras for Healing

Chakras and Crystal Healing techniques for chakras