Glossary of Terms

Acupuncture is a component of Chinese medicine that has proven effectiveness for the treatment of certain ailments. Acupuncture practitioners believe that acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy (chi) that nourishes tissues and stimulates blood flow.

This therapy is most often conducted by a Reflexologist, and is also known as ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture without needles. Practitioners stimulate the external ear to stimulate points in the ear (“reflex points”) that correspond to specific body parts. Auriculotherapy has proven effective for the treatment of many conditions including neuropathy, diabetes, chronic pain, headache, and planter fasciitis.

Biofeedback training teaches people how to change and control the body's autonomic functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Practitioners use a biofeedback machine to teach the user how to monitor "feedback" using auditory or visual cues.

The term bodywork refers to a variety of therapies including massage, deep tissue manipulation, and movement awareness. Nearly all bodywork practitioners attempt to reduce pain, sooth injured muscles, increase flexibility, and promote relaxation.

Through adjustments of the spine and joints, chiropractors can influence the body's nervous system in order to alleviate pain and improve general health. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective for the treatment of back problems, headaches, and certain physical injuries.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The practitioner manipulates the bones of the skull to treat a range of conditions including headache, ear infection, stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

Practitioners use the mind’s power of imagination evoke a positive physical responses. For example, guided imagery can reduce stress, slow heart rate, stimulate the immune system, and reduce pain.

Homeopathy is based on the idea that large doses of a substance cause a symptom, while very small doses of that same substance will cure it. Thus, believing that “like cures like, practitioners administer small doses of the very same substance that is causing the illness. Homeopathy has been shown to be effective in treating chronic illnesses that fail to respond to conventional treatment, and for such minor conditions such as the common cold and flu.

Hypnotherapy is used to manage various medical and psychological problems. For example, to help a person stop smoking, overcome alcohol and substance abuse, and reduce overeating. Hypnotherapy has also been used to reduce stress, improve sleep disorders, and and relieve fear, phobias and depressions.

There are many different forms of mediation but they are all aimed at balancing a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. Mediation is often employed as part of the overall treatment of other conditions.

The term “Mind/body medicine” is a catchall for combining traditional medical modalities with eastern forms of treatment. Recognizing the interconnection of mind and body, the body's innate healing capabilities, and the role of self-responsibility in the healing process, mind/body practitioners utilizes a wide range of treatments and therapies, including allopathic medicines, biofeedback, guided imagery, hypnotherapy and meditation.

Biofeedback training teaches people how to change and control the body's autonomic functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Practitioners use a biofeedback machine to teach the user how to monitor "feedback" using auditory or visual cues.

Qigong combines movement, meditation, and breath regulation to enhance the flow of energy in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune function. In China, Qigong has proven effective for the treatment of healthy as well as the severely ill people.

This therapy is similar to reflexology. However, the practitioner uses heated rocks to work different pressure points on the feet and hands. Reflex-thermal is an effective therapy for arthritis, p.m.s., and muscle pain.

Biofeedback training teaches people how to change and control the body's autonomic functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Practitioners use a biofeedback machine to teach the user how to monitor "feedback" using auditory or visual cues.

Reiki is a Japanese word the means "Universal life force". Reiki practitioners believe that this therapy strengthens a person’s absorption of universal energy and thus restores health.

The practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine combines the use of medicinal herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage, and therapeutic exercise. The Chinese view of the body as an interrelated system of energy and physical matter is the basis of many forms of alternative medicine.

Yoga is one of the oldest known systems for maintaining and restoring health. The physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation practices of yoga have been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate, and even slow the aging process.