Glossary

Basic Concepts and Terms

Alternative Medicine  incorporates nontraditional methods of treatment in the overall medical treatment of illness and disease. This includes, but is not limited to, homeopathy, herbalism and bodywork therapy.

Alternative Therapies  involves approaches to healing that are not included in the traditional medical model of treatment are considered alternative.  Some of these methods are acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional supplementation, herbal formulas, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy,  reflexology, stress reduction techniques, etc.

Ayurveda  Ayurveda means "the science of life".  Ayurvedic practice takes into account the different stages of life and aging, and includes diet, exercise massage, color, light, sound hygiene and more. Ayruvedic philosophy is based upon the a theory of constitutional body types, or 'doshas', is India's traditional health system , and dates back over 5,000 years.

Bioenergetics  Involves various methods non-invasive and often times non-touch systems of energy work.  These treatments are generally applied to the autonomic nervous , lymphatic, and circulatory and musculoskeletal systems for purpose of relaxation and accelerated healing.

Complimentary Medicine  includes treatments that may be used as adjuncts to conventional treatment and are not usually taught in medical schools.

Detoxification  under ordinary conditions, facilitates various body systems including the liver, kidneys, intestines, lymph, and circulatory systems to eliminate toxins from the body. However, a number of factors can overwhelm these organs and systems causing them to under perform or shut down altogether which can cause the body to begin to store to much toxic substance.  Too much toxicity in the body can result in headaches, digestive disorders, increased allergic reactions, fatigue and worse.  Detoxification methods such as fasting, herbal cleanses and stimulating body work and exercises are used to stimulate the natural internal cleansing or 'detoxification' process.

Herbalism  involves the use of plants for healing, food, flavoring, scents and dyes.  All forms of traditional healing practices world wide utilize some form of herbal practice.  The philosophy of herbalism is that the body's natural healing processes can be supported with the use of plants and foods.  In traditional herbalism, not only are plants and foods used, but also exercise techniques, breathing techniques, and various mind/body techniques.  The study of herbology is one of the oldest sciences int he world.  Contemporary herbology systems in use today include Western, Native American, Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and European.  A Herbalist is a person who grows, gathers, sells or uses herbs for healing, food, flavoring, scents, or dyes.  The study of Herbology is central to professions in Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Botany, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Dietetics, Dentistry, Midwifery, Chemistry and Medicine.

Holistic Health is a medical model that focuses on he whole person, not just the body parts.  Holistic means considering and encompassing body, mind, emotions and spirit.  Factors involving physical wellness/illness, mental/thought patterns, emotional expression and stability, and the  individuals spiritual beliefs all have significant roles in maintaining good health and must be addressed according to holistic philosophical beliefs and practices.

Homeopathy  A system of medical treatment based on the use of minute quantities of remedies that in massive doses produces effects similar to those of the disease being treated.  The two major branches of homeopathy include Classical and Constitutional.

Integrated or Integrative Medicine Frequently a term used interchangeably with the term "alternative medicine"  this method of practice involves the selective incorporation of complimentary and alternative treatments and therapies into comprehensive treatment plans alongside solidly orthodox methods of diagnosis and treatment according to western traditions.  Diagnosis and treatment take into account diet, exercise, quality of rest and sleep and the nature of relationships.  It is the seemless blend of allopathic medicine with alternative medicine.

Natural Healing  Involves moving from  a state of non-health to a state of health using only natural (non-synthetic and non-invasive) means.  It is the process of maintaining the body in a condition of good health, naturally.  Examples of natural healing would be fasting to cleanse the body of mucous, massage to ease muscle tension and resulting pain, drinking herbal formulas to soothe an irritated throat.

Naturopathy  Differs most significantly from allopathy by focusing of building and preserving health rather than on the treatment of disease.

Stress Reduction  One of the major causes of pain is directly attributable to stress on the body and mind.  Stress reduction techniques are utilized to reduce tension in the body, triggering the relaxation response, resulting in reduced pain experience.

Traditional Chinese Medicine  Based upon the premise that balance and harmony bring health traditional Chinese medicine focuses on creating balance between polar opposites.  Chief treatment modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine include, herbs, food and acupuncture.  The concepts behind Traditional Chinese Medicine are over 2,000 years old.