A Help for Your Wellness: Let's Learn About Complementary Medicine

Hello! How are you? Today we are going to talk about a very important topic that can be useful to many people. That is complementary medicine , or in English `( Complementary Medicine (Complementary Medicine ). You may have heard this term before, or it may be new to you. In this article, we will simply talk about what it is, what benefits we get from it, and how to choose and use it properly.

What are these complementary medicine methods?

Simply put, complementary medicine is a treatment that you use to improve your well-being in addition to the Western medical treatment you are already receiving for an illness (i.e., the medications and surgeries we usually get from doctors). Think of it like adding salt and pepper to your food to make it taste better. This is to support the main treatment.

For example, massage, meditation, biofeedback, Tai Chi exercises, Reiki therapy, music therapy, guided imagery, and various dietary supplements fall into this category.

What is the difference between complementary, alternative and integrative therapies?

These words may seem a little confusing to hear. But there are some small differences between them. There are differences , especially in how they are used.

• Complementary Medicine: This is what we're talking about. That is, methods that are used in addition to your usual Western medical treatments (medication, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery). These "complement" or "complement" the main treatment.
• Alternative Medicine: This is a little different. What happens here is that instead of traditional Western medical treatment, you choose another treatment method. That is, you abandon one and use another.
• Integrated medical methods `( Integrative Medicine : This is about thinking about your entire health and well-being. Instead of just treating the disease, it also takes into account your mental, emotional, functional, spiritual, and social aspects, and integrates them all into a treatment plan.

So, you can see that while all three of these serve the purpose of wellness, there are differences in how they are used.

What are the health benefits of complementary medicine?

The benefits of each complementary therapy may vary, but in general, these methods may provide one or more of the following health benefits:

• Pain relief: Helps reduce body aches and joint pain.
• Reduces anxiety and stress: It reduces stress and pressure and relaxes the mind.
• Reducing nausea: Some illnesses or treatments can reduce nausea.
• Improving mood : Creates happiness and excitement in the mind.
• Increases relaxation and well-being: Provides a good rest for the body and mind.
• Speeding up wound healing: Some methods help wounds heal faster.
• Creating positive emotions , happiness, and inner peace: Creating a good feeling and satisfaction about life.
• Reducing muscle stiffness: It eliminates stiffness and tightness in various parts of the body.
• Reduces fatigue: Reduces tiredness and fatigue and brings vitality.
• Improves flexibility and blood circulation: Increases body flexibility and improves blood circulation.

Now let's see what kind of treatments there are.

What are these complementary therapies?

There are many complementary therapies. Below is a brief introduction to some of them. (This list may not include all methods.)

Body manipulation and body-based methods

These are treatments that involve manipulating parts of our body and applying pressure.

• Massage: Massage is a method of relaxing the body and mind by using the nerve endings and pressure points in your body. There are many different types of massage, including Shiatsu, Hellerwork®, and Reflexology. However, the most commonly used method is Swedish Massage, which uses five basic strokes. These include stroking, rhythmic kneading, kneading, circular or firm pressure around joints, tapping, and rapid muscle movements. Massage therapy is used to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, promote relaxation, and manage pain . If you have had surgery, it can also help with the healing of cuts and scars. Foot massage in particular has been found to have a positive effect on pain, nausea, and well-being.

• Reflexology: This involves applying pressure to specific points on your feet, hands, or ears that are believed to correspond to different organs and systems in the body. This technique can help relieve symptoms such as pain, constipation, and nausea .

• Chiropractic or Osteopathic Manipulation: This is also a manual therapy. It focuses on your spine and other joints in your body, as well as how they are connected to the nervous system. These techniques use stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance to move muscles and joints. They can help reduce muscle pain and improve overall movement and function . They can also help reduce the severity of symptoms of conditions like migraines, menstrual cramps, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Cupping: This is also a type of massage therapy. It involves using heated cups to create a vacuum on your skin. This increases blood flow to the area and reduces inflammation .

Mind and body techniques

These are ways to use our minds to influence the body.

• Meditation: Meditation is a way to quiet your mind, relax your muscles, and achieve inner peace. There are various meditation techniques that can be practiced alone or in a group.

• Relaxation and Deep Breathing: These techniques can help relieve muscle tension, reduce breathing difficulties, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of control, especially during unpleasant or stressful treatments.

• Yoga: Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that involves body postures and breathing techniques. It has been practiced in India for thousands of years and is now popular around the world. In the West, yoga is valued more for its physical benefits than its spiritual aspects. For example, yoga can increase flexibility and vitality, and reduce stress and fatigue .

• Landscape Therapy: This involves showing peaceful, relaxing landscapes. These can help to create a sense of calm and tranquility. These landscapes can be shown in a darkened room as a ``slide show'', on a video screen, or as picture books or real paintings. This is used as a distraction to help manage pain and anxiety .

• Music Therapy: Music therapy is an expressive arts practice that helps individuals achieve harmony and balance. It may involve listening to music and/or playing musical instruments. Music therapists are professionals who are trained to create music programs for patients. Through music, you can explore emotional, spiritual, and behavioral issues. Music therapy can help you release emotions and relax . Listening to music can be calming and uplifting.

• Animal-assisted therapy: This is where a therapist uses dogs or other animals to help you better cope with your health problems (such as mental illness, cancer, heart disease). Animal-assisted therapy can reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue associated with many health problems .

• Biofeedback: This is a training technique that helps you learn to control your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Throughout the therapy, your therapist will measure your body's activity (e.g., brain waves (EEG), heart rate (ECG), muscle contractions (EMG). You may notice changes in these measurements as you learn new coping strategies.

• Guided Imagery or Visualization: In this therapy, a professional helps you create positive mental images and desired outcomes for certain situations. For example, you might imagine yourself getting stronger, getting better, or seeing cancer cells being destroyed while in a relaxed state. In another method, you might imagine yourself going through the different stages of treatment, from the least scary to the most painful, feeling calm and relaxed at each step.

• Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy is similar to guided imagery, but here a doctor or licensed hypnotherapist induces a state of deep relaxation.

• Prayer Therapy: This method uses prayer as a therapeutic tool for mental and emotional healing. Prayer can be used as a tool to explore past, present, or future pain and stress in your mind/soul. It can help you better understand yourself, explore your feelings, and release them. Your prayer is personal - the therapist only acts as a facilitator.

Energy healing

These are treatments based on the "life force" that is said to be present in our bodies.

• Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a non-combat martial art. It uses breathing techniques, postures, and graceful movement patterns to improve the flow of ``Qi'', or "life force energy," to calm the mind, and promote self-healing. It is also known as a "moving meditation." It is most often practiced as a preventative health care method rather than a response to illness.

• Qi Gong: Qi Gong is an ancient system of movement, breathing techniques, and meditation designed to develop and improve the circulation of ``Qi'', or "life force energy," around your body.

• Therapeutic Touch: Here, a practitioner synchronizes their energy field with yours. This balances the blockages in the "energy flow" and allows your body's healing powers to function freely. The practitioner's hands are placed a few inches above your body and gently massage your body to detect any changes or blockages in the energy field. The practitioner's body directs healing energy into your body. Touch therapy is used to treat stress-related conditions such as fatigue and headaches, as well as to relieve pain, especially after muscle strains and surgery . It has also been used to promote wound healing and to treat lymphatic and circulatory disorders.

• Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese spiritual healing practice that has its roots in ancient Tibetan Buddhism. The purpose of Reiki is to promote health, maintain well-being, and help you reach a higher level of consciousness. Practitioners direct "Reiki energy" through their hands (while your hands are on your body, while you are still clothed) to your specific areas of need. Reiki is said to balance the body's energy centers, or "chakras," and remove energy blockages that can lead to imbalances and illness. Some people may feel lighter after a treatment; others may feel more refreshed.

• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese system of health care. It involves inserting very fine, thick needles into specific points on your body to prevent and treat certain diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of natural painkillers called endorphins - which can also increase feelings of well-being. Acupressure, which involves manually stimulating these points, can also be effective, but to a lesser extent.

• Magnets: This treatment involves placing magnets on your body to reduce pain or improve healing.

Expressive therapy

These are ways to help you express your feelings.

• Journal Writing: Journaling is an effective way to deal with some of the emotions that come with living with a medical condition. If you are suffering from a serious illness, it can be difficult to express your feelings to others. But by journaling, you can express difficult feelings in a safe and private way. Regular journaling can help you clarify your thoughts and make better decisions.

• Art Therapy: Drawing, painting, and sculpting, especially when done with a group, can help you express feelings that are not easily expressed in words.

• Support Groups: In support groups, you have the opportunity to share your worries, fears, and hopes with others who are also facing life challenges. Support groups can also help your family and friends.

Other complementary approaches

Apart from this, there are other methods.

• Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies: Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and enzymes. They are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness. Examples include Glucosamine, Chondroitin, St. John's Wort, Ginkgo, Saw Palmetto, Ginseng, fish oil, Echinacea, vitamin D, garlic, calcium, and green tea. Always talk to your doctor before taking any of these.

• Aromatherapy: In aromatherapy, you are exposed to essential oils. These oils can be diffused in a room or absorbed through your skin. The scents released by the oils are thought to affect the part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which controls hormones. The theory is that scents can affect your mood, metabolism, stress levels, and sexual desire. Chamomile, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and tea tree oil are some of the most commonly used essential oils. Scent preferences and reactions to scents vary greatly from person to person.

What if I want to start a complementary medicine practice?

Okay, now if you're thinking of trying something like this, here are some important things you need to keep in mind:

• First, talk to your primary healthcare provider (the doctor you go to regularly). It is very important to seek their advice before starting any complementary treatment.
• Do not stop taking any medication that has been prescribed for you without talking to your doctor. This can be very dangerous.
• Ask your current doctor for a recommendation for a good complementary therapist, or check the websites of nearby hospitals.
• Search online for professional organizations based on the type of professional you are looking for. For example, if you want to find a `(Chiropractor)`, search for "chiropractor organizations" in your `(browser)`. Read about licensing or certification requirements, and you may also find `(link)` to connect with professionals in your area.
• Find out as much information as possible about the professional you want to meet with. Find out about their education, training, licenses, or certifications. These days, you can find this information on websites, or you can call their office and ask before making an appointment.
• Find out if the complementary practitioner will work with your regular doctor. It's important that all of your doctors work together to provide you with the best possible care.
• Ask your complementary medicine practitioner if he or she has experience working with people with your specific health condition.
• Check with your insurance company to see if payments for complementary services are covered, or how much you will have to spend out of pocket.
• Keep all of your healthcare providers (both general practitioners and complementary practitioners) up to date on all medications, other health products, and treatments you take. This gives each professional a complete picture of every step you take to manage your health.
• If your symptoms persist or get worse, be sure to see your general practitioner.

How do you know if a complementary therapy is safe, effective, and scientifically reliable?

This is also a very important question. Not all complementary therapies have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. Therefore, here are some things you can do to learn more about a particular method:

• Talk to your regular doctor. Tell him about the complementary therapies you're considering. Ask him about the safety and effectiveness of these methods.
• Ask your complementary medicine practitioner for scientific sources about the safety and effectiveness of the methods they use for your health condition.
• Visit your local library or medical library (found at medical schools and some hospitals). Ask for help finding scientific journal articles or reliable books about the complementary therapy or product you are interested in.
• Check reliable websites. Several US government websites may have useful information about this. For example, the websites of the `(National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - NCCIH)`, `(US Food and Drug Administration - FDA)`, and `(National Institutes of Health - NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)`.

There are many complementary therapies. Their history is tied to the cultures of China, India, Tibet, Africa, and the Americas. Compared to Western medicine, these therapies are not as widely used in countries like the United States. Since many of these therapies have not been subjected to the rigorous scientific research that conventional medicine has, it is wise to talk to your primary care doctor about complementary therapies. Always keep all of your doctors (both conventional and complementary) informed about all medications, supplements, and other treatments you are taking. Never stop taking any medication without first talking to your primary care provider.

The most important thing to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

So, complementary medicine is something that can help you on your health journey. However, they need to be used wisely and with awareness.

• Always consult with your primary care physician and do not start any new treatment without his or her advice.
• Complementary therapies are something that is done in addition to conventional treatments , not instead of them (except in alternative medicine).
• Carefully research the qualifications and experience of the person providing the treatment.
• If you have any doubts about a treatment, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Your health is in your hands. May you be empowered to make the right decisions, with the right information, and live a healthy life!

` Complementary Medicine, Wellness, Massage, Meditation, Alternative Therapies, Herbal Medicine