What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a medical science developed by Dr. Samuel

Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician. It is based on the
principle that like cures like. In simple words, it means that any
substance, which can produce symptoms in a healthy person, can
cure similar symptoms in a person who is sick. This idea is referred
to as the Law of Similars, and was understood by Aristotle and
Hippocrates and mentioned in ancient Hindu manuscripts. It was
Hahnemann, however, who turned it into a science of healing.
Here are examples of this principle:
a. An onion is a substance which makes your eyes water and your
nose burn. If you are having an attack of hay fever with watering eyes
and a burning nose, a homeopathic remedy made from onion can
relieve it.
b. Poison ivy causes redness, intense itching, burning, blistering and
sometimes stiff muscles. Homeopathically it has been used for
everything from herpes and burns to eczema and arthritis.
c. When you are stung by a bee you feel a burning, stinging pain and
the tissues surrounding the area swell up. Some relief is gained from
applying cold to the area. If you had swollen tonsils with burning and
stinging pain relieved by cold, a homeopathic remedy prepared from
the same source could cure.
http://hpathy.com/abc-homeopathy/what-is-homeopathy-definition-and-details/

"DOCTOR, WHAT'S THIS ACUPUNCTURE

ALL ABOUT?"

A Brief Explanation

ACUPUNCTURE: WHAT IS IT?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve
functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very
precise acupuncture points.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body
and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body
to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a
dam that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock
the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture
treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion,
absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the
meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous
system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change
the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which
influence the body's own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the
body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

WHAT IS MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE? IS IT DIFFERENT FROM ORDINARY ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a very old medical art, and there are many approaches to learning and practicing it.
Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and
licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty
practice. Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both as the need
arises, to treat an illness.

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE?

Medical acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:

promotion of health and well-being,

prevention of illness,

treatment of various medical conditions.

While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it
has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the
support or adjunct to other medial treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders.The World
Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical
problems, including:

Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea.

Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections.

Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen
shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendinitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis.

Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems.

Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and
emotional conditions.

http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Articles-By-Physicians-AboutAcupuncture/Doctor-Whats-This-Acupuncture-All-About

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine (sometimes called "naturopathy") is a distinct system of primary health
care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural
therapies. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) blend centuries-old knowledge and a philosophy that
nature is the most effective healer with current research on health and human systems.
Naturopathic diagnosis focuses on identifying the underlying causes of disease, while
naturopathic therapies are supported by research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from
many disciplines, including naturopathic medicine, conventional medicine, European
complementary medicine, clinical nutrition, phytotherapy, pharmacognosy, homeopathy,
psychology and spirituality.
The therapeutic modalities used in naturopathic medicine (including physical manipulation,
clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and hydrotherapy) integrate conventional,
scientific and empirical methodology with the ancient laws of nature. The underpinnings of
naturopathic medical practice are in six principles (see a more detailed description):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

First Do No Harm - primum non nocere

The Healing Power of Nature - vis medicatrix naturae
Discover and Treat the Cause, Not Just the Effect - tolle causam
Treat the Whole Person - tolle totum
The Physician is a Teacher - docere
Prevention is the best "cure" - praevenire

What training do naturopathic doctors receive?

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary care physicians who have attended a four-year
naturopathic medical school, are clinically trained, and work in all aspects of family health
from pediatric to geriatric care. (See a list of the states, provinces and territories that license
NDs).
Most NDs provide primary care through office-based private practice. Many receive additional
training in areas such as midwifery and acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Because NDs view
natural remedies as complementary as well as primary, they cooperate with other medical
professionals, referring patients to (and receiving patients from) conventional medical doctors,
surgeons and other specialists when appropriate.
How does naturopathic medicine compare to conventional
medicine?
Educated in all of the same basic sciences as a medical doctor (MD), a naturopathic doctor
uses the Western medical sciences as a foundation for diagnosis and treatment. Just like MDs,
naturopathic physicians must pass rigorous professional board exams before they can be
licensed by a state or jurisdiction. And, for at least the final two years of the medical program,
naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed
professionals.
NDs, however, also study holistic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease
prevention and promoting wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, NDs are

trained in clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, physical

medicine and counseling. Another distinguishing feature is the treatment philosophy:
Naturopathic doctors see the physician as someone who facilitates healing by identifying and
removing barriers to health. http://www.bastyr.edu/academics/areas-study/study-naturopathic-

medicine/about-naturopathic-medicine

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the relationship

between the body's structuremainly the spineand its functioning.
Although practitioners may use a variety of treatment approaches, they
primarily perform adjustments (manipulations) to the spine or other parts of
the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems, alleviating pain,
improving function, and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Key Points

Most research on chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation. Spinal

manipulation appears to benefit some people with low-back pain and may also be
helpful for headaches, neck pain, upper- and lower-extremity joint conditions, and
whiplash-associated disorders.

Side effects from spinal manipulation can include temporary headaches,

tiredness, or discomfort in the parts of the body that were treated. There have
been rare reports of serious complications such as stroke, but whether spinal
manipulation actually causes these complications is unclear. Safety remains an
important focus of ongoing research.

Tell all your health care providers about any complementary

health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage
your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Overview and History

The term chiropractic combines the Greek words cheir (hand)
and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on
therapyespecially adjustment of the spineis central to chiropractic care.
Chiropractic is based on the notion that the relationship between the bodys
structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the
nervous system) affects health.

Use in the United States

In the United States, chiropractic is often considered a complementary health
approach. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS),
which included a comprehensive survey of the use of complementary health
approaches by Americans, about 8 percent of adults (more than 18 million)
and nearly 3 percent of children (more than 2 million) had received
chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation in the past 12 months. Additionally,
an analysis of NHIS cost data found that adults in the United States spent
approximately $11.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to complementary health
practitioners$3.9 billion of which was spent on visits to practitioners for
chiropractic orosteopathic manipulation.
Many people who seek chiropractic care have low-back pain. People also
commonly seek chiropractic care for other kinds of musculoskeletal pain
(e.g., neck, shoulder), headaches, and extremity (e.g., hand or
foot) problems.
An analysis of the use of complementary health approaches for back pain,
based on data from the 2002 NHIS, found that chiropractic was by far the
most commonly used therapy. Among survey respondents who had used any
of these therapies for their back pain, 74 percent (approximately 4 million
Americans) had used chiropractic. Among those who had used chiropractic
for back pain, 66 percent perceived great benefit from their treatments.

Treatment
During the initial visit, chiropractors typically take a health history and
perform a physical examination, with a special emphasis on the spine. Other
examinations or tests such as x-rays may also be performed. If chiropractic
treatment is considered appropriate, a treatment plan will be developed.
During followup visits, practitioners may perform one or more of the many
different types of adjustments and other manual therapies used in
chiropractic care. Given mainly to the spine, a chiropractic adjustment
involves using the hands or a device to apply a controlled, rapid force to a
joint. The goal is to increase the range and quality of motion in the area
being treated and to aid in restoring health. Joint mobilization is another type
of manual therapy that may be used.
Chiropractors may combine the use of spinal adjustments and other manual
therapies with several other treatments and approaches such as:

Heat and ice

Electrical stimulation

Relaxation techniques

Rehabilitative and general exercise

Counseling about diet, weight loss, and other lifestyle factors

Dietary supplements.

Practitioners: Education and Licensure

Chiropractic training is a 4-year academic program that includes both
classroom work and direct experience caring for patients. Coursework
typically includes instruction in the biomedical sciences, as well as in public
health and research methods. Some chiropractors pursue a 2- to 3-year
residency for training in specialized fields.

If You Are Thinking About Seeking Chiropractic Care

Ask about the chiropractors education and licensure.

Mention any medical conditions you have, and ask whether the chiropractor
has specialized training or experience in the condition for which you are
seeking care.

Ask about typical out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage. (Chiropractic is

covered by many health maintenance organizations and private health plans,
Medicare, and state workers compensation systems.)

Tell the chiropractor about any medications (prescription or over-the-counter)

and dietary supplements you take. If the chiropractor suggests a dietary
supplement, ask about potential interactions with your medications or
other supplements.

Tell all of your health care providers about any complementary

health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage
your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm