Alternative therapies

Conventional medicine is taking a back seat for many, with unexpected side effects, conflicts with existing medications and that fact that they are simply not working becoming common complaints.

More and more people looking to naturopathy as an alternative to prescribed drugs but just what therapies are available and what are their benefits.

Some of the more common therapies are:

Acupuncture – A traditional Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years and is based on the principal of an energy force, Qi (chee), circulating around the body. Fine needles are inserted in to particular acupuncture points to correct the disruption in the flow of Qi and therefore curing ailments.

Research has found that acupuncture may be effective in treating a range of disorders. Some of these include:
· Digestive – colitis, constipation, diarrhoea, gastritis, ulcer.
· Emotional – anxiety, depression.
· General – chronic fatigue syndrome, giving up smoking, muscle injuries, obesity, stress management, tiredness, travel sickness.
· Gynaecological – heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, menopausal symptoms, pre-menstrual syndrome.
· Musculo-skeletal – back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tennis elbow and whiplash.
· Neurological – Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, Meniere’s disease, migraine, pain, paralysis, shingles.
· Respiratory – asthma, bronchitis, common cold, hay fever.
· Vascular – haemorrhoids, high blood pressure, varicose veins.
For more information, visit the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).

Aromatherapy – the modern version of this treatment was developed in France and uses essential oils via massage, inhalation or topical application to treat ailments which may stem from emotional or physiological problems.
Treatment can be useful for alleviating the following symptoms:
· Digestive problems
· Eczema
· Headaches
· Insomnia
· Stress
For more information, visit The International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA).

Chiropractic – Based on the principle that spinal adjustments can improve many health problems that are related to the nerves, skeleton and muscles. Chiropractors carry out spinal adjustments by manually manipulating the spine to improve its mechanical structure. This allows the body to maintain its own health and wellbeing.
Spinal realignment can be used to treat the following ailments:
· Asthma
· Back injuries
· Headaches
· Lower back pain
· Migraines
· Period pain
· Problems with posture
· Sciatica (shooting pains in the leg)
· Slipped disc
· Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
For more information, visit the Chiropractors Association of Australia (CCA)

Chinese herbal medicine – part of the wider group of traditional Chinese medicines, which also includes acupuncture – Chinese herbs are used to normalise imbalanced energy (QI).
Chinese herbal medicines have been found to successful in treating a range of disorders, particularly gynaecological and gastrointestinal disorders. They can also be used to treat:
· Eczema and psoriasis
· Fatigue
· Hepatic (liver) disorders
· Cardiovascular disorders
· Stress
· Allergies and autoimmune disorders.
For more information, visit the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).

Naturopathy – Using the principle that the body can heal itself if given the right circumstances. A range of treatments such as nutrition, dietetics, herbal medicine, homoeopathy and tactile therapies like massage, acupressure are used to stimulate the body’s healing powers.
By educating the patient of the benefit of looking after their own health, naturopathy can be used to treat the following ailments:
· Fatigue
· Digestive complaints
· Mood disorders and depression
· Allergy and sensitivities
· Behavioural problems
· Chronic fatigue syndrome
· Degenerative illnesses, such as arthritis
· Cardiovascular problems
· High blood pressure
· Fertility problems
· Endocrine disturbance
· Hormonal imbalances, such as premenstrual tension and menopause

For more information, visit The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA).