A List of Uncommon Alternative Medical Practices

CAM, or Complementary and Alternative Medicine is becoming more popular in the U.S. As we seek less invasive and toxin-free medical care, many new healing therapies are being introduced. Some work independently and some are now used in conjunction with other medical practices.

On the list below is "Humor Therapy" and a familiar case showing success. The U.S. medical profession still does not advocate the use of laughter - however, the price is right - free! It is worth listing.

Unlike TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which is thousands of years old, these practices are relatively new but many have similar philosophies and are often based on the ancient therapies.

Following is list of 11 therapies with a brief description/and a separate list with titles only - for your information.

UNCOMMON THERAPIES

Watsu: Also known as water therapy. This early form of aquatic body work combines muscle stretching , dance, massage and shiatsu - all done in a pool of warm water. Working in a warm water environment helps relieve muscle tension, joint compression, and allows a free fluid movement that would not be possible without the use of warm water.

Raindrop Technique: The techniques combines aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage. It is an 8-step process inspired by the Lakota First People. The aromatic oils are dropped onto the body from a height of 6 inches and then massaged into the back muscles. Oils are also used to perform reflexology on the feet.

Forgiveness Therapy (FT): In 1997, research done at the University of Wisconsin showed that forgiveness could be taught and yield positive results. This therapy has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of addictions.

Bioresonance Therapy (BRT): BRT uses the body's own electromagnetic frequencies to locate and then eliminate health problems. Using a BRT machine, healthy and unhealthy energies are measured in response to food, bacteria and toxins. The BRT machine is used around the world by dentists, doctors, and veterinarians.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) aka Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT): Created in the early 1930s by a Danish doctor, this therapy involves a series of massaging motions to help relieve chronic sinus congestion and immune disorders. It is also used to manage lymphedema (swelling of arms and legs due to lymphatic fluid accumulation).

Humor Therapy:" "Laughter is the best medicine" - and research has shown this to be true. In addition to being an affordable therapy, it is considered a type of Psychoneuroimmunology. The New England Journal of Medicine published the Norman Cousins case study in 1979 where Cousins designed his own therapy to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Cousins found that 15 minutes of laughter could bring him 2 hours of pain-free sleep. Laughter is known to reduce blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress hormones, and release the body's natural pain killers - endorphins.

Korean Chi Therapy: This therapy is based on traditional Chinese medicine, but instead of using needles, the therapy is done with sound energy. Using the 360 energy channels in the body, Korean Chi Therapy recognizes when energy flow is restricted - resulting in illness. Generally, the practitioner's fingertips move above the body but slight fingertip pressure may also be used.

Korean Hand Therapy (KHT): Uses acupuncture but only in the hand, to treat the whole body. For those afraid of needles other options are available (see detailed link below)

Vega Test Method (VRT): VRT is also based on the principal of acupuncture but uses a machine to measure changes in skin conductivity. In VRT, the patient holds a device in one hand while a probe is placed on acupuncture points.

Therapeutic Eurythmy (THE): Often used to treat children with ADD or ADHD. It uses the principle of Eurythmy (harmonious rhythm). It is known as the 'art of visible speech and song' because it provides a physical element to the sounds of speech and music. In 1919, students in Germany were taught music, poetry and academic subjects using Eurythmy which showed improvements in coordination, and a sense of well-being.

Polarity Therapy: This therapy uses other energy-based processes. These include the ying-yang therapies of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and the Three Principles and Five Chakras of Ayurvedic Medicine. To measure a client's energy, the practitioner uses palpitation, observation, and interview. Polarity touch can have a variety of intensity levels. The therapy is designed to decrease a client's fixation on negative people, things, and events which reduces ones flexibility, and ability to forgive.

For Your Information - More Therapies listed by title only:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

TTouch-For-You

Auditory Intervention Technique (AIT)

Autogenics Training (AT)

Bioenergetic Analysis

Orgone Therapy

Alphabiotics

Radiesthia

Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT)

See links below for more healing information (See newly added link to: 10 More Uncommon Alternative Medical Practices)