The practitioner uses deep finger pressure on specific parts of the body along what are called “meridians” or invisible channels of energy. The Chinese variation is called Tuina and involves more massage type motions. The Japanese version of acupressure is called Shiatsu. Usually, the patient lies down on a massage table or on a floor mat and the treatment lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Westerners usually seek out acupressure treatment when in pain, but Oriental medicine views it as a therapy to maintain good health. Acupressure should be avoided by people who bruise easily, or have brittle bones or other orthopedic injuries. In addition, anyone with poor circulation due to varicose veins or diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome or skin sores and wounds should avoid the treatment.

Many different types of practitioners use acupressure in a wide variety of practical settings. It is generally considered effective in cases of tension and stress, but acupressure alone is not a solution to major or life-threatening conditions. If you have symptoms that could signal a serious condition, or if your symptoms get worse, always consult a physician.

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective as an adjunctive therapy for a large number of health concerns including relief of muscle and joint pain, arthritis, digestive problems, insomnia, stress, allergies and addictions. It is endorsed by the National Arthritis Foundation, and 50-70% of patients with chronic pain report receiving considerable benefits from the therapy. For some, the benefits are short-term. Others are able to enjoy long-term relief.

In 1997, the National Institutes of Health conducted studies, which show that acupuncture relieves nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, chemotherapy or anesthesia. It is also used standardly to combat chronic pain in patients suffering from asthma, osteo-arthritis, low back pain, menstrual cramps, carpal tynnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and recurring headaches. Studies are currently being conducted in the use of acupuncture in the treatment of drug and alcohol withdrawal and with stroke victims who have suffered paralysis.

Most acupuncture treatments take 20 minutes to an hour. The frequency and duration of treatments varies from patient to patient. Usually, it takes about 6 sessions to experience genuine relief, although chronic conditions may take months to heal. In general, however, if you have not experienced any benefit after about 10 sessions, you might consider an alternative therapy.

There are very few contra-indications to acupuncture. Pregnant women should avoid being punctured near the abdomen, and those who bruise or bleed easily might consider some other type of therapy.

The technique requires the active participation of the patient, and is conducted with a teacher, often in a group. The teacher coaches patients to perform everyday physical motions and leads them through different movements to improve their condition.

Classes run from 30-45 minutes and there are no known side effects, but you should always check with your doctor before undertaking this therapy. Usually, people go in for a session a week, with a minimum of 30 sessions in a series.

Not everyone is a candidate for aromatherapy. Patients suffering from asthma or skin allergies should consult their doctor. Some aromas have been known to cause uterine contractions when taken in excessive amounts, and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy. Small children are particularly sensitive to oils, which should not be used on their little faces. Peppermint oil, in particular, must not be used on children under 30 months.

Symptoms targeted by craniosacral therapy include jaw pain, headaches, sinusitis, some visual problems, brain injuries, asthma, cerebral palsy, cerebral palsy and some childhood developmental problems.

Craniosacral therapy is safe, and if helpful, can be continued indefinitely. However, it is not recommended for patients who have had an aneurysm, suspected brain hemorrhage, or any symptom that would be worsened when the pressure of the intracranial fluid is affected. Children with only recently fused skull bones should also avoid the therapy. It is definitely not recommended in cases of life-threatening problems such as cancer, heart disease or other medical emergencies.

There are a variety of detoxification techniques which include chelation, colonic irrigation, fasting, special diets, hydrotherapy, lymphatic stimulation and the use of nutritional supplements.

Detoxification is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, the weak, the elderly or the underweight. Those suffering from ulcers or diabetes should also avoid this type of therapy. Specific types of detoxification are contra-indicated in certain instances, so it is important to check with your doctor before undertaking any type of detoxification. It is especially important not to rely on detoxification alone to cure any life-threatening disease such as cancer or heart disease.

Today, Americans live in heated and air-conditioned, comfortable homes, and drive everywhere. They consume eight spoons of sugar per soda, lots of white flour, and live off processed foods eaten on the run. Fast food restaurants abound, people eat TV dinners, and kids fill up on junk food as fast as their parents will buy it for them. Cancer, heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes are at an epidemic high.

Most health professionals believe that an examination of the average American diet easily explains why the nation is in such poor health, and that a good diet and exercise program would go 80% of the way in curing America’s abysmal health record. Interest in nutrition is on the rise, and there are many types of diet and nutrition practitioners that can give you the help that you need to obtain the quality of life and longevity that you aspire to.

A typical visit to a homeopathic practitioner includes a detailed medical history, which the practitioner then analyses and uses to select from a vast array of homeopathic remedies. These remedies are safe for virtually anyone, including children, and should only be avoided by those who cannot tolerate alcohol, because the tinctures are alcohol-based.

The first visit will usually be to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for hypnotherapy. Therapists use three standard tests to make this determination. These are the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales, the Barber Suggestibility Scale, or the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility. In addition, they can measure a person’s susceptibility for hypnosis using specific measuring devices, which include the eye-roll test, the light test and the lemon test.

Once therapy begins, the sessions usually last 60-90 minutes. The patient usually lies on a reclining chair or couch, and the therapist selects one of three standard techniques to put the patient into a deeply relaxed state, while the therapist continues to talk and give instructions to the unconscious mind. Hypnotherapy is considered safe, no matter the patient’s condition. Even though some people are afraid of losing control to the therapist, they never actually do. A hypnotic suggestion works only if the patient accepts it, and the therapist cannot against the patient’s moral code or religious beliefs.

Most hypnotherapists are physicians or psychologists with a thorough training in hypnotherapy. Before beginning therapy, it is worth taking an hour or so to make sure that you and your therapist get along.

Massage before physical exercise helps the body warm up and the blood circulation to improve. Massage after physical exercise reduces the lactic acid and carbonic acid generated by physical activity, which sometimes cause cramps.

There are numerous massage techniques in current use by massage therapists everywhere. They usually all use the five basic strokes of Swedish massage called effleurage, (gliding), petrissage, (kneading,) friction, (circular movements,) percussion, (drumming,) and vibration, (shaking manually or using a mechanical vibrator. The names given to different types of massage include Hellerwork, Rolfing and Reflexology.

Massage should be avoided after surgery, during times of infectious skin diseases, rashes or unhealed wounds, around any damaged or bruised tissue, open wound or existing tumor. It should also be avoided by those suffering from circulatory problems such as varicose veins or phlebitis. It should not be performed right after chemotherapy or radiation. The abdominal area should not be massaged for at least a couple of hours after eating, and during pregnancy. People with a history of panic attacks of sexual abuse would not be advised to participate in massage therapy of any kind.

Massage can aggravate any existing swelling or cause pain if someone has a nerve injury. It is wise to consult your doctor before beginning massage therapy, and also if therapy is not resulting in improvement.

Naturopathic practitioners range from physicians to massage therapists. A practitioner with a high level of medical expertise will often use lab tests; allergy tests, x-rays and other sophisticated diagnostic tools, as well as a physical examination. Treatments vary, and can include homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other dietary supplements, nutritional advice, physiotherapy, stress reduction and drinking plenty of water.

Naturopathy focuses on gentle treatments and is appropriate for most people, except perhaps the very young, the very old, and those who already require a very specific diet, such as diabetics. Most naturopathic remedies are beneficial, and you should only be concerned if the recommendations appear to be extreme, in which case a registered dietitian of physician knowledgeable in nutrition would provide a good second opinion.

There are two kinds of therapies: external exercises aimed at controlling breathing, heart rate and brain wave frequency, and internal exercises which can even be performed by a person in a wheelchair. Classes are often held in health clubs and even though the exercises may appear to be easy, it is wise to start with a teacher.

One interesting aspect of quigong is an instrument called the Infratonic QGM machine. Studies were done on the frequency of sound waves emitted by sick people, normal people, and quigong masters in Beijing. It was found that the hands of the masters emitted low frequency sound waves that were 100 times stronger than those of normal people, and 1,000 times stronger than the elderly or ill. The Infratonic QGM replicates the frequency of the masters’ hands and patients treated with this device have experienced and alleviation of pain.

Quigong treatments usually last about 30 minutes. Participants may find that the exercises increase circulation and could cause a problem for people who bleed easily or suffer from internal bleeding, as well as those who suffer from dizziness or severe mental or emotional problems. For the rest of the population, quigong can be a healthy fitness program that produces lifelong benefits.

Tai chi helps a person feel more mentally alert and emotionally stable. It helps relieve stress by improving posture and circulation, and strengthens the bones to build resistance to osteoporosis. Before beginning tai chi classes, and if you should experience any discomfort during training, consult your doctor.

Yoga is used to improve a person’s flexibility, mobility and overall health. It strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure and actually works to reverse heart disease, if combined with nutritional therapy. Yoga helps people reduce stress and slows down the respiratory system. Those who participate in yoga exercises find that they sleep better, their body is more supple and their digestion works better.

The exercises are usually performed on a non-slip mat, and require little or no equipment. The participant wears loose clothing and learns different postures, which have to be held for a few seconds. The exercises focus on three main areas: breathing, body posture and meditation. Classes usually last 45-60 minutes. They are more beneficial if done in the morning, and you should avoid food for one hour beforehand. The only significant side effect may be a little stiffness at the outset, although yoga is supposed to be relaxing, and if entered into gently, should have no side effects at all.

Yoga should be avoided by those who have had a recent back injury, back surgery or a slipped disk. Those with conditions such as arthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure and pregnancy should consult their doctor and their instructor, as some specific positions will need to be avoided completely.