Never thought you’d read that in a book like this? Well, even Natural Health is well aware that we can’t live without traditional health care (often literally), and we’re grateful for the brave doctors and nurses who provide it. Who wants to set his own broken bone? Or perform heart surgery on herself? Or put the lives of their children entirely at the mercy of…wormwood oil? Belief in botanical medicine is one thing. Curing cancer is quite another.
But the future of health care won’t be built on one thing or the other. It will involve all kinds of practitioners—Western medicine and alternative therapies alike—working together to provide a sustainable, holistic approach. You’ve probably already got this happening, albeit in an ad hoc manner. Perhaps you have a trustworthy GP but are also sure to hit the gym three days a week, or never miss a yoga class. Or maybe you get CT scans at the hospital for that bad back, but see a chiropractor afterwards, to get cracking. And after having that baby, did you rely mostly on your OB-GYN, but still sip nettle tea “just in case” it helped with breast milk production?
If so, you’re one of the millions already living the future. And this chapter—full of alternative therapies to incorporate into your routine—will ensure that the future looks bright. From how to find a practitioner to what precautions to take, we’ve got comprehensive sections on the following:
These therapies are touchy-feely, literally. Each involves the manipulation of bones, muscle and tissue to increase circulation and restore balance, but in wildly different ways. Read on to find out how they can relieve anxiety, help premature babies gain weight and lessen the symptoms of PMS.
Before diving into each specific technique, be sure to read our overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine; it explains the framework behind this ancient yet never-more-relevant system of beliefs.
If this book had a smell, this section’s would be—mmm, incense. Each of these therapies, although derived from different philosophies, aims to make you feel at peace with your body, either by how you move it or what you put into it.
The most controversial section—if only because there’s still research to be done on many of these. Therapies like biofeedback and naturopathy spark the body and mind to heal themselves. Smokers may want to skip directly to hypnotherapy, known for its success with addicts.
In addition to the above, you’ll find a series of essential resources, like “The Ultimate Medicine Cabinet” (replace that decades-old calamine lotion with these remedies). Put it all together, and you’ve got the building blocks for a better you.