The Body’s Natural Healing Mechanisms

Medical and health professionals should be the first resource utilized to obtain the diagnosis for a problem. When a medical condition has been identified, treatment options are recommended. Standard medical choices have increased with scientific awareness. Treatment options now accept and include traditional therapies used before the advent of modern medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) healing integrates a variety of approaches to help support natural healing mechanisms in the body. Health professionals often propose the use of more than one CAM method. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Naturopathy use several components to promote health and healing.

The Body Out of Balance

Many individuals suffer from what they believe are plain old aches and pains. These symptoms may be temporary or develop to create further damage to body systems. When one part of the body slows down or does not function properly it affects another part of the body. Many maladies take place when the human organism is out of balance. Imbalance happens when deficiencies or excesses occur. These imbalances include: poor diet, stress, overwork, neglect and bad living habits.

Nutritional Healing

Dietary choices provide basic nutrients to support health. The human body requires water, carbohydrates, protein and fat. The type and amount of these food and energy sources may be combined to promote healing. Nutritionists and dietary counselors are a good resource for guidance regarding food choices. When the body is out of balance and not functioning properly, nutritional changes can support the return to wellbeing.

Dietary Supplements

Medical practitioners recognize that nutritional changes benefit from the incorporation of dietary supplements. These supplements can take the form of: vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural substances. There are numerous ingredients that are available to consumers. A nutritionist may recommend a particular brand or form of supplement based on experience and research.
Herbal remedies may contain traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Other herbal remedies may be based on Indian or Western herbal constituents. There is great deal of information available on dietary supplements. Following the guidance of a trained health professional simplifies information overload.

Massage Therapy

There has been an increase in the utilization of massage therapy for many conditions. Massage therapy schools provide excellent training to help support the healing process. Muscle tension and pain are often the result of lactic acid and waste products. Massage therapists are trained to utilize long, smooth strokes and kneading movements to improve circulation. These motions help clear the lactic acid while bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. Some massage therapy schools offer advanced certification in a variety of methods to help the body heal itself.

Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture has been a fundamental part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Several hundred acupuncture points have been identified on the human body. These points are stimulated utilizing specialized acupuncture needles. The stimulation effect travels along pathways through the body to internal organs. Many people benefit from acupuncture for the relief of back pain. Acupuncture can be used to treat and restore the body’s balance for many other conditions including: anxiety and depression, diarrhea and constipation, nervous tension and stress, kidney and bladder problems, liver and gallbladder problems.

Acupressure / Pressure Point Therapy

The thought of having an acupuncture needle placed in their skin causes some people to resist the benefits of acupuncture. Acupressure therapy uses the ancient acupuncture trigger points, but uses gentle and firm finger pressure instead of needles. Pressure point therapy increases the circulation of blood, relaxes the body and relieves stress. Acupressure can be an important aspect of massage therapy and an important factor in helping support natural healing mechanisms.

Counseling

Stress, anxiety and trauma are extreme conditions that contribute to symptoms of illness and disease. Many people do not realize there is a relationship between aches and pains to mental stress. The same deficiencies and excesses that create imbalance in the physical body can find their source in psychological conditions. Unconscious physiological reactions may be the result of unconscious psychological reactions. Appropriate counseling and therapy is an integral part of the healing process.

Modern drug therapies have notably been absent in the above discussion. Most medical drugs, steroids and over-the-counter medications are designed to suppress physical symptoms through a blocking response. This blocking response causes normal body functions to seek a different outlet. The consequence of the symptom suppression often results in the development of drug side effects,resulting in a new series of symptoms and complications.

Final treatment selection depends on the patient’s physical symptoms and diagnosis given by a medical professional. Modern drug therapies may be the only option. Complementary and alternative medicine may provide another choice. Knowledgeable medical professionals can help recommend the correct combination of healing treatments. The side-effects of some drugs may be lessened by CAM therapies. Always check with a health professional before changing medical treatment plans. Ultimately it is up to the patient to take responsibility for the healing process to begin.

Author Info: Jenna Smith is a college student by day and a blogger by night. Her daily studies revelove around journalism and business. Her long term goal is to be an online writer for great publications like Huffington Post or even Time Magazine! Jenna's favorite online topics include business and finance, but when she isn't writing to expand her portfolio she love to write about health, fitness, and eco-friendly topics. Jenna can be reached at jennaleesmith1(at)gmail.com if you have any interest in her writing for your site!

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