In Western culture the term “medicine” is typically thought of as the two hundred year old practice of allopathic medicine. The ongoing advances and dedicated ractitioners in allopathic medicine, greatly augment the quality and longevity f the lives of many.
For two decades the National Institute of Health has been researching the value and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM is a group of health care systems, practices and products, used in conjunction with conventional allopathic medicine. A 2002 survey by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics found that 38 percent of U.S. adults use CAM therapies. CAM use is specifically higher among people with higher education, and those hospitalized within the past year. This percentage of CAM user’s as shown to be even higher in the 2007 survey which showed increases by 18% among whites, 17% among Asians, 6.6% among blacks and 1% among Hispanics.
CAM therapies include those that are provider based such as chiropractic, acupuncture, guided imagery, therapeutic touch, massage, reiki. Therapies that do not require a practitioner include natural products (vitamins, herbal and botanical products), special diets, magnet therapy, light therapy, yoga, meditation, prayer, deep-breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, gigong and tai chi.
ENERGY MEDICINE is a branch of CAM that involves working with the energies of the human energy field, to stimulate the healing potentials of the mind-body. Energy medicine draws on the best of healing traditions such as Ayurveda from India, Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Yoga, Laying on of hands and Mindfulness training, to name a few.
It is both a compliment to other wellness approaches and a complete system for self-care and self-help. A session with an energy practitioner promotes physical and emotional balance and wellness as well as teachers the client methods for maintaining peak performance and sustaining high levels of emotional and physical well being.
Energy medicine practices have the potential to positively influence the following:
- Support the healing of illness.
- Stimulate immune function.
- Relieve back pain and other pain, headaches, fibromyalgia.
- Release stress, improve memory and focus.
- Decrease anxiety, depression and insomnia.
- Improve post trauma stress symptoms.
- Enhance self-esteem and self-empowerment.
- Create greater flow, resilience and well being.
- Augment clarity, vitality and goal achievement.
