To Cancer : Complementary and Integrative Therapies of Cancer.

Archive for August, 2009

Throughout history, many cultures have used imagery for therapeutic purposes, including the Navajo, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese. Religions such as Hinduism and Judaism have also practiced imagery. In modern times, the term “guided imagery” may be used to refer to a number of techniques, including metaphor, story telling, fantasy, game playing, dream interpretation, drawing, visualization, active imagination, or direct suggestion using imagery. Read the rest of this entry »

Delores Krieger, RN, PhD, and Dora Kunz, a natural healer, developed therapeutic touch (TT) in the early 1970s. TT is an adaptation of several religious and secular healing traditions, and is commonly used in nursing practice for many different conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Reiki is a Buddhist practice that is approximately 2500 years old. The name “Reiki” is derived from two Japanese words; rei meaning universal spirit and ki meaning life energy. Mention of Reiki can be found in the Tibetan sutras and in ancient records of cosmology and philosophy.

Hichau Mikao Usui, a Japanese physician and Buddhist monk, revitalized the practice of Reiki in the 19th century. It is said that after 21 days of fasting, Reiki was presented to Usui on Mt. Kurama, a Japanese mountaintop near Kyoto during a spiritual experience. By this account, light struck him upon the forehead, opening up a “third eye” possessing the highest source of power in the human body. Usui passed down his teachings, and Hawayo Tokata, a Japanese Hawaiian, introduced Usui Reiki to the West in 1930. Read the rest of this entry »

Polarity was initially developed in the 1940s by Randolph Stone, ND, DC, DO. Pierre Pannetier, ND continued Dr. Stone’s teaching after the mid-1970s. Polarity integrates the three principles and five chakras of Aryuvedic (traditional Indian) medicine, and draws from ancient Hermetic philosophy. Touch with the hands is used with the intention of influencing flow of body energy. Polarity treatment may also involve exercise and lifestyle changes. Energy-based bodywork and education are used to promote energetic and cleansing principles of eating and increased self-awareness. Polarity yoga is said to balance the human energy field. Bodywork is thought to remove energy blockages and strengthen energy fields. Dietary changes (believed to purify or build health), counseling, yoga, craniosacral therapy, and other bodywork techniques may be employed. Read the rest of this entry »

Various forms of therapeutic superficial tissue manipulation have been practiced for thousands of years across cultures. Chinese use of massage dates to 1600 BC, and Hippocrates made reference to the importance of physicians being experienced with “rubbing” as early as 400 BC. There are references to massage in ancient records of the Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Egyptian, Indian, Greek, and Roman nations. References to massage are also found in the Bible and Vedas. Terms for massage include the French word masser, the Greek word for “knead,” a Hindu word for “press,” and an Aramaic word that means “to press softly.” Read the rest of this entry »

Irrigation of the colon for therapeutic purposes may have been used as early as ancient Egypt, China, India, and Greece. This practice gained popularity in 19th century European spas, and has been used in modern times to promote general well being and to treat a multiple health conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Applied Kinesiology is a type of manual healing used to diagnose and treat health problems. It is based on the belief that weakness in a given group of muscles corresponds to specific diseases or body imbalances.Applied kinesiology (AK) is a technique that uses muscle testing with the aim to diagnose nutritional deficiencies and health problems. It is based on the concept that weakness in certain muscles corresponds to specific disease states or body imbalances. AK practitioners may diagnose organ dysfunction, energy blockage, or allergies (including those to foods and drugs). Edukinesthesia is a type of AK that is used to detect the cause of learning difficulties and poor concentration. Read the rest of this entry »

Acupressure is a form of manual healing and physical touch in which fingers apply pressure to specific points on the body. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of manual healing based on traditional Chinese medicine. It combines massage, gentle physical manipulation, and pressure along body meridians.

The practice of applying finger pressure to specific acupoints throughout the body has been used in China since 2000 BC, prior to the use of acupuncture. Acupressure techniques are widely practiced internationally for relaxation, wellness promotion, and the treatment of various health conditions. Multiple human studies suggest effectiveness of wrist-point (P6) acupressure for treating nausea. Read the rest of this entry »

Yoga is a set of physical practices that include gentle stretches, breathing practices, and progressive deep relaxation.
Natural Standard Patient Monograph,  Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

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Tai chi is a system of movements and positions believed to have developed in 12th century China. Tai chi techniques aim to address the body and mind as an interconnected system, and are traditionally believed to have mental and physical health benefits, to improve posture, balance, flexibility and strength.
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