Today's increasingly toxic environment—with pollution in the air, microplastics in our water, and antibiotics and pesticides in our food supply—has brought grave new challenges to global health. Modern medicine doesn't always have the answers for rising disorders like Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome, which are hard to classify and even harder to treat. As people seek better paths to improving health, fixing chronic conditions, and finding peace and happiness, they're turning increasingly to traditional and alternative medicine—from yoga to meditation, from herbal therapy to singing bowls. Alternative Medicine is a comprehensive overview that tackles dozens of alternative therapies, explaining their history, examining their claims, and helping readers evaluate these alternate paths to wellness.
AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE • STIMULATE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
YOUR BODY WANTS TO HEAL • BUT IT NEEDS SOME HELP FROM YOU.
Earth • The densest of the elements, earth represents all the solid matter in the universe. As in nature, the earth element within our bodies encompasses the other four elements. Elemental theory pinpoints the earth near your navel, where it serves to stabilize your center and provides shape, structure, and support. Maintaining a strong foundation with earth energy is what keeps us grounded and provides a sense of belonging. Healthy bones, muscles and skin are a sign of good earth energy at work, but extreme emotion and anxiety are clues you may want to explore new ways to help find your center.
GROUNDING • GETTING BACK IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PLANET
MASSAGE THERAPY • WORK OUT THE KINKS
We’ve Got Your Back • Massage therapy has a long, rich history. Here are just a few of the many different massage modalities to be found around the world, some of which have been practiced for centuries.
PLANT THERAPY • TAP INTO THE JOY OF BRINGING LIFE TO LIFE
MUSCLE TESTING • FIND YOUR INNER STRENGTH
CRYSTAL HEALING • TAP INTO YOUR LIFE ENERGY
Meet Your Chakras • Chakras are energy centers that correspond with nerve bundles located at specific places along your spine. Though some identify more than 100 chakras in the human body, these are the seven main chakras and the crystal colors they correspond to:
REFLEXOLOGY • FANCY FOOTWORK
The Topography of Toes • To the reflexologist, each body part maps to a particular area of your hand and foot. This isn’t a glofirifed hand or foot massage, though: When there’s trouble somewhere, reflexology theory says you’ll feel it as congestion on one of these points, and applying pressure to that hot spot can be painful.
ACUPUNCTURE • STIMULATE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
MEET YOUR MERIDIANS • FREEING YOUR ENERGY FLOW
CHIROPRACTIC • STRAIGHTEN YOUR APPROACH
Air • In nature, air is an invisible, powerful force capable of carrying seeds and delivering life. We know air is fundamental to staying alive, but its energy goes beyond basic inhalation and exhalation: Air is the vehicle for the wonderful breezes and smells and sounds that make us feel alive. According to elemental theory, air is centered at your sternum, between your lungs, where it releases energetic winds within our bodies that manage our physical movement and create a sense of mental lightness. But too much air (usually by trying to force something to happen) can result in what’s best described as an internal tornado. Breathe easy: There are several approaches to help control your air supply.
YOGA • FLEX YOUR BODY; OPEN YOUR MIND
Going to the Mat • Yoga is a healing tree with countless branches. Here are just a few of the major types of yoga commonly practiced in the US and elsewhere.
SOUND HEALING • LET THE GOOD VIBRATIONS ROLL
Tools of the Sound...
