Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture

"Acupuncture is a major component of traditional Chinese Medicine. One of the strongest points about acupuncture is its effectiveness in not only illness, injury and emotional stresses, but in preventative care. It promotes the body's ability to heal itself and maintain a well balanced equilibrium. Utilizing acupuncture can help decrease the chances of disease as well as balancing the current problems that are already present.

There is an energy called Qi, meaning "Breathe of Life" or "Vital Essence" which encompasses the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of life. The body cannot function and survive without the proper health and movement of qi. Acupuncture restores and maintains health by ensuring the proper flow and strength of qi."

Reiki

"REIKI is a safe, natural, hands-on, non-manipulative energy therapy that promotes healing on all levels of the body mind. Reiki means “universal energy.” Healing begins from within restoring the body to its previous physical, mental, and emotional state of well-being. Recognized by several world governments as a viable energy therapy that compliments all other forms of health care, this naturally occurring energy harmonizes the body's energy patterns, placing it back into balance, supporting the body's own natural ability to heal itself.  It is now classified in the  "Biofield Medicine category, which involves systems that use subtle energy fields in and around the body for medical purposes." (NIH)   

This universal life force energy named Reiki has been used by various cultures since ancient times. Reiki was re-introduced by Mikao Usui in the 1930s in Japan, who in turn, practiced and trained several Reiki masters.  One of his students was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi who founded the first Reiki clinic in Tokyo.  A woman named Hawayo Takata came for Reiki treatments for her severe health problems.  She quickly became a practitioner and then a Reiki master teacher. Ms.Takata and her students were responsible for bringing Reiki to the United States first in Hawaii and California in the mid-1940's where it has enjoyed an increasing awareness of its many benefits as a means of de-stressing and rejuvenating."

"Unlike synthetic oils, essential oils are complex compounds having a diverse effect on the body. Depending upon the individual oil and or a blend, they are uniquely antiseptic, antimicrobial, and calming to inflamed tissues.

Essential oils' effectiveness can be impaired by the use of personal care products such as underarm deodorants, creams and lotions containing synthetic fragrances and other chemicals. The skin is the most permeable membrane of the body and as such is the gateway to health and vitality of the body. Many chemicals are easily absorbed into the body via the skin; for example, 13% of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is absorbed into the skin where it can become trapped and eventually find its way into the blood stream causing a disruption in the natural workings of the body."

"In order to get the most benefit from aromatherapy, it is essential that your choice of essential oils and fragrances be therapeutic grade and processed only from organic plant materials. Essential oils are processed from all parts of organic plant materials - flowers, bark, leaves, and stems, and in some cases even the roots. Natural essential oils fight infection, contain hormone balancing compounds and can rejuvenate and regenerate cells. Synthetic fragrances and oils are monolithic acting on only one aspect of a condition, rather than the whole, nor are they recognized by the body as substances that can be useful, and while they may offer a pleasant fragrance for a short time, no notable therapeutic results have been documented. Organic essential oils utilize all of the plant's chemical components synergistically, blending with the human body's natural chemical makeup to provide balance and healing from within while maintaining the body's homeostatic environment. Double blind randomized studies utilizing essential oils have shown the value of such oils in combination with weight loss programs, providing emotional balance, learning aptitude, immune function, hormone balance, and energy levels. According to Jean Valnet, MD, "essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other nutrients."

Unlike synthetic oils, essential oils are complex compounds having a diverse effect on the body. Depending upon the individual oil and or a blend, they are uniquely antiseptic, antimicrobial, and calming to inflamed tissues.

Essential oils' effectiveness can be impaired by the use of personal care products such as underarm deodorants, creams and lotions containing synthetic fragrances and other chemicals. The skin is the most permeable membrane of the body and as such is the gateway to health and vitality of the body. Many chemicals are easily absorbed into the body via the skin; for example, 13% of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is absorbed into the skin where it can become trapped and eventually find its way into the blood stream causing a disruption in the natural workings of the body."

"Prayer-like consciousness has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, protect red blood cells, alter blood chemistry, and increase blood oxygenation."