WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE HEALING?
Alternative healing is a very broad umbrella term that essentially describes forms of healing that are alternative to typical western medicine. Some people use these methods alone to treat illnesses; some people use them in conjunction with western medicine, that’s to say surgery and pharmaceuticals; and some people use methods of alternative healing in their daily lives as a preventative measure and a health & wellbeing boost. Different things work for different people, some are happy with the care that they receive from their GP, some people prefer less conventional methods that often draw more from nature and the power of your own body.
SoulSimple is dedicated to the wellbeing of humanity and our aim is to help you to broaden the horizons of your own healing by sharing with you all the facets of wellbeing and their practices. We view ‘alternative healing’ as a valuable and fundamental approach to looking after and supporting our own wellbeing - BODY, MIND & SOUL. As a collective, we treat the body as an innate healing intelligence. We are in constant discovery and awe of this incredible intelligence.
The human body is in a constant state of regeneration, from the cells in our skeleton to the nails on our toes. There are between 30 and 75 trillion cells in the body… Each type of cell has its own life span. Red blood cells live for about four months, while white blood cells live on average more than a year. Skin cells live about two or three weeks. Colon cells have it rough, they die off after about four days. Sperm cells have a lifespan of only about three days, while brain cells typically last an entire lifetime. Our bodies are incredible and they have specific needs in order to thrive. This is why we feel it’s important to explore the wide range of healing practices available for us to understand and support our wellbeing - BODY MIND & SOUL. So what can these practices look like?
Alternative healing methods can generally be viewed under five different categories:
Alternative Medical Systems - entire medical systems that have been created separate from western medicine, such as Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine
Energy Healing - such as Reiki
Mind-Focused Healing - such as meditation
Manipulation of the Body - such as massage
Biological Healing - using materials, such as aromatherapy
Although these categories might help you to understand alternative healing a bit better, we adopt a holistic approach to healing. Here at SoulSimple we approach mind, body and soul as one and this is how we work with you and your individual needs.
Here is a pretty comprehensive list of alternative healing methods:
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Alexander Technique
Apitherapy
Aromatherapy
Auriculotherapy
Autogenic Training
Autosuggestion
Ayurvedic medicine*
Bach Flower Therapy
Balneotherapy
Biofeedback
Bowen Technique
Chiropractic
Crystal healing
Cupping
Ear candles
Electromagnetic therapy
Enema
Feldenkrais method
Herbalism*
Homeopathy
Hypnotherapy
Massage
Meditation
Mindfulness
Moxibustion
Music therapy
Naturopathic medicine
New Thought
Neuro-linguistic programming
Nutritional healing
Orgonomy
Orthomolecular medicine
Osteomyology
Osteopathy
Pilates
Polarity therapy
Pranic healing
Qigong
Radionics
Rebirthing
Reflexology
Reiki
Rolfing
Seitai therapy
Self-hypnosis
Shiatsu
Siddha medicine
Sonopuncture
Sound therapy
Spiritual Mind Treatment
Structural Integration
Support groups
T’ai chi ch’uan
Thai massage
Traditional Chinese/Korean/Japanese/ Mongolian/ Tibetan medicine*
Thalassotherapy
Therapeutic Touch
Tibetan Eye Chart
Trager Approach
Transcendental Meditation
Trigger Point Therapy
Tui Na
Visualisation
Water Cure
Western herbal medicine
Yoga
Zang Fu Theory
You might recognise several of these as some are very well known; chiropractic and yoga for example. Or you might be a total alternative healing guru and recognise all of them! We’re going to touch on a few key areas in greater detail.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINE:
Ayurveda, meaning the science of life in Sanskrit, originated in India thousands of years ago and is considered by some to be the oldest healing science. It encompasses a variety of different practices, such as acupuncture, meditation, diet, massage, yoga and others. Ayurveda focuses on restoring balance to the body, mind and spirit, acting as a preventative measure against illness, as well as a cure. The study and maintenance of energy is a big part of the healing system, and so the various practices that fall under Ayurveda aim to create harmony amongst the different types of energy within an individual through the use of special herbs, specific food, physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE:
Another ancient practice, traditional Chinese medicine has a similar focus to Ayurveda, treating and maintaining the mind and body, but evolved in a different part of the world. The idea of yin and yang, which promotes balance and harmony, runs as a central theme in traditional Chinese medicine, and practices within this healing system similarly concentrate on prevention of illness through strengthening and balancing the body. Practices include acupuncture, special herbs, cupping, moxibustion, Tai Chi and others.
HERBALISM:
Plants have been used medicinally throughout human history. Herbalism, or herbal medicine, uses plants to create natural treatments for a wide variety of illnesses and concerns. A big difference to conventional western medicine is the focus on treating the cause of illness, not just the symptoms. Treatment plans vary from person to person as herbalists focus on the individual and their unique needs. There are different types of herbalism, such as Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese and western herbalism.
“The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.” - Hippocrates
Here at SoulSimple we work with incredible practitioners who have dedicated their life’s work to offering space for your wellbeing to flourish and grow. Many of whom have healed and are healing their own bodies using alternative approaches. By tapping into ‘The natural healing force within” as Hippocrates so eloquently puts it, we are all invited to live more consciously, to be aware of the healing power within us and to ultimately listen to our own body wisdom.
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