| In alternative medicine, the term 'Natural Therapy' | | | | through changes in diet alone. |
| refers to an eclectic self-care system that is primarily | | | | Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy: Natural therapy |
| concerned with building and restoring health through | | | | relies very heavily on the use of medicinal herbs. |
| prevention techniques and healthy lifestyles. In natural | | | | Herbs are characterized by their minimal toxicity and |
| therapy, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of | | | | maximum effect. Since herbs do not accumulate in |
| disorders is undertaken by the therapeutic use of | | | | the body, they also do not have any lasting |
| natural methods and materials. | | | | ramifications. When selected properly, herbs offer |
| The philosophy underlying natural therapy is that all | | | | safe, powerful and effective healing. |
| living things have an innate ability to heal. This innate | | | | Traditional Chinese medicine: Pulse diagnosis, herbs, |
| ability flows through us as energy or 'vital force' and | | | | acupuncture, acutouch are all included in this system |
| it promotes self-cleansing, self-repair and self-healing. | | | | of medicine. Dating back to almost 3,000 years ago, |
| If the path of this vital force is blocked, external | | | | this stream of medicine has recently caught a lot of |
| symptoms appear and a 'dis-ease' is diagnosed. Once | | | | attention in the West. |
| the flow of this energy is restored, good health too | | | | Body manipulation: Used in conjunction with other |
| will be restored. | | | | therapies, this treatment uses a variety of |
| Natural therapy stipulates that the immune system, | | | | systematic movements that help heal musculoskeletal |
| nervous system, hormonal system and detoxification | | | | and neurological problems. |
| pathways all work as a unit. This ensures our survival. | | | | Lifestyle modification: Natural therapy places full |
| If given proper support, care and nurture the body | | | | responsibility of one's health on one's own shoulders. |
| will find its sense of balance automatically, WITHOUT | | | | Treatments are based on assessing risk factors |
| the use of medicine. | | | | connected to the lifestyle, diet and environment of |
| Natural therapy places a great deal of emphasis on a | | | | each individual. Each of these factors is considered |
| hands-free, non invasive approach to curing maladies. | | | | while developing a treatment plan. |
| There are no magic bullets and quick fixes. Each | | | | Natural therapy can assist in curing a wide variety of |
| individual will have his own unique set of symptoms. | | | | clinical conditions. |
| Depending upon the symptoms, the therapist decides | | | | - Acute conditions like headaches, sore throat, |
| his course of treatment. And each individual takes his | | | | asthma and allergies |
| own time to recover. | | | | - Chronic illnesses like migraine, arthritis, heart diseases |
| The goal of natural therapy is to develop optimal | | | | and gastrointestinal diseases. |
| good health for all patients and to teach patients the | | | | - Stress related mental and emotional problems. |
| principles of good health. Natural therapy is used as a | | | | - Physical injury and trauma including post-operative |
| complementary system of healing that adequately | | | | pain. |
| speeds up the body's natural ability to heal. | | | | Different kinds of natural therapies suffered a |
| Prevention is the ultimate goal, though therapy also | | | | setback because results are slow in coming. What |
| includes management of symptoms. | | | | most people do not realize is that though results may |
| Natural therapy usually includes a wide variety of | | | | take long, the effects last a lifetime. There is usually |
| treatment systems. Some of them are: | | | | a complete recovery from symptoms because the |
| Clinical nutrition: Nutrition is the cornerstone of good | | | | physician tries to boost the body's natural resistance |
| health. Many diseases and conditions can be improved | | | | to dis-ease and discomfort. |