Americans turning to Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine is the oldest contiguously practiced form of healthcare in the world, dating to at least 3000 and maybe more than 5000 years ago. The first book written on Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is between 2000 and 3000 years old. Modern western medicine is less than 500 years old. Daily we read of drugs harming or hurting people because short term laboratory, controlled studies could not show what long term use by a human would do. Allopathic or “scientific” medicine and its “scientific standard” have many flaws that are serious to life threatening.

Americans are turning to Chinese Medicine because allopathy and western science have their own flaws and inadequacies. Ultimately, western “science” has to learn that nothing is absolute and knowable beyond doubt, that life is fluid, ever changing and that each human being and each body, while very similar, all have a unique experience and a unique reaction to all things encountered. Chinese medicine has understood this for millennia. And people are finding the proof in the pudding.

Alternative Healing Degrees

Today, one can choose to enroll in a healing arts school to attain one or more alternative healing degrees in a variety of natural health modalities. While most individuals are familiar with conventional associates, bachelors and even doctorate degrees, opportunities exist to earn not only certification, but alternative healing degrees that are equivalent to traditional college degrees.

More common forms of alternative healing degrees may be earned through acupuncture and Oriental Medicine schools, chiropractic schools and naturopathic schools. For example, students seeking alternative healing degrees in Oriental Medicine may achieve "D.O.M." or "O.M.D." status, also known as "Doctor of Oriental Medicine" and "Oriental Medical Doctor," upon successful completion of a Chinese medicine course. In the same course of study, candidates may choose to enroll in a Master of Acupuncture program, and earn the title of "M.Ac."

Among many interesting alternative healing degrees that a number of natural health schools offer prospective students is the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.), which is often equivalent to an M.D. degree program. However, numerous practitioners will sometimes participate in the B.A.M.S. as a supplementary course to their degree in naturopathic medicine or conventional Medical Doctor degree. Another alternative healing degree program option is the "N.D." course. The Doctor of Naturopathy degree may be earned after the student has completed over 4,000 hours of educational training, in addition to postsecondary education. The Doctor of Chiropractic Degree is another fine inclusion within the alternative healing degrees group of studies one may choose to pursue; however, bare in mind that most chiropractic schools frequently require a bachelor's degree or other prerequisite courses prior to enrollment.

In general, alternative healing degrees are unique substitutes for, or welcome additions to, traditional academic degrees, which offer an array of educational options instrumental in beginning an entrepreneurial healthcare career in healing arts. Furthermore, they can also be an essential asset for conventional medical professionals desiring to integrate complementary medicine into an established medical practice.

To learn more about alternative healing degrees and additional learning programs, search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

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Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Natural Healing Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Natural Healing Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; your educational resource to locate schools.

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Aromatherapy - Using Essential Oils for Good Health

Even before the term alternative medicine was formally used, aromatherapy was already being practiced 5000 years ago by Egyptians. At that time, oil was extracted from aromatic plants through infusion and used for embalming, cosmetics and medicinal purposes. This knowledge was passed on to the Greeks and served as the basis for more discoveries, including the relaxing and stimulating effects of the fragrance of some flowers. Going back further, ancient man's dependence on the environment for all his basic needs and survival led him to discover natural ways of food preservation and the treatment of various conditions using herbs and aromatics.

1. Eastern Roots

The use of aromatics is also reflected in a Chinese herbal book by Shen Nung dated 2700 BC, showing specific details on more than 300 plants and their various applications. Ancient Chinese also burned incense and wood as part of religious practices that a good number of their modern counterparts still observe today. Aromatics was also a part of acupressure, massage and other therapies identified with the Chinese.

2. Modern Health Treatment

Today, many individuals place a high premium on health and well-being. The cost of traditional or conventional medicine such as surgery and medicare, however, has made a high number of people turn to aromatherapy, or essential oils therapy, and other forms of alternative medicine.

3. Basics

- Facilitates an equilibrium of physical, mental and spiritual health through natural means
- In some cases, these alternative treatments are now considered as strong and effective complements to regular medicine
- The main component of aromatherapy is essential oils
- Essential Oils are highly concentrated essences known for their healing effects

4. Essential Oils

These aroma-producing oils come from the flower, as in the case of a rose; leaves (basil is an example); twig; bark; fruit rind and other plant parts. Experts say that the extraction process can be time-consuming, complex and require much patience. Recognition and acceptance of these factors is important: getting about 5 teaspoonsful of oil could entail the use more than 220 pounds of rose petals. This process is what makes pure essential oils costly, although their effectiveness is not compromised because a treatment can entail the use of only a few drops to generate the target effect. An option is the less-expensive synthetic oils, although they do not offer the healing properties of their natural counterparts.

5. How It Works

Essential oils work by stimulating the olfactory system and later the brain or limbic system. The fragrance, other properties and effects of the oil determine how these body systems and their parts are stimulated. During a massage, these oils are inhaled and absorbed by the body at the same time, penetrating the skin and eventually reaching the organs and body systems. The absorption can be as short as 20 minutes and possibly extend to 2 hours or more, making some experts advise to avoid a shower or bathing immediately after the massage to maximize the desired effect.

6. Effects Last Days, Not Hours

The longevity of a fragrance also varies from 3-24 hours to 2-3 days and even longer to about a week. Eucalyptus, peppermint
thyme, and bergamot are among oils with a short-lived scent, while the scent of hyssop, lavender, balm, and other oils last between 2-3 days. Jasmine, sandalwood, ginger and cedarwood are among the oils that take as long as one week before completely evaporating.

7. Achieve A Sense Of Calm

The desired health balance of an individual also requires the creation of a balanced perfume, or a combination of the three types of oils based on longevity. These various combinations or aromatherapy blends can be mixed into a warm bath to relax and calm an individual, eliminate stress and depression, energize and sooth the body or aching part. The healing or calming effect of a massage can be enhanced by applying essential oils. However, this would require the use of carrier oils to prevent irritation or any other negative skin reaction. Some of these carrier oils, which help dilute essential oils, include avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, wheatgerm oil, almond oil, soya oil and hazelnut oil.

For more great aromatherapy related articles and resources check out http://aromatherapy.naturaltherapieshq.com

Alternative Cancer Cure Teatment Options are Gaining Popularity and Trust

Medical science has taken great strides forward. However, the vulnerability to many diseases like cancer, remain. Thus, billions of dollars are spent on researching alternative cancer cure treatments every year through out the world. Alternative cancer cure encompasses methods, natural and otherwise, that go beyond the traditional realm of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Some of them are:

Physical Touch method
Amidst the varied alternative cancer cure methods, Manual Healing or the Physical Touch method is widely known. In its arsenal, you have the age-old Chinese practice of Acupuncture. Here needles are put in the skin into specific energy flow ways in order to balance it. Though it is a debatable point whether Acupuncture can actually cure cancer, it has been to be a definite pain alleviator.

Reiki
The Japanese observation of Reiki is another alternative cancer cure methodology, which also works along similar lines. A Reiki master can unclog your congested energy pathways to relieve you of the pain of the disease and the treatment.

Chiropractic
Chiropractic provides a remedy for musculoskeletal disorders by working on the spine and the neck. Chiropractors believe that this boosts the immune system by restoring the bodily balance that had gone haywire due to cancer.

Massages
Massages, though not proven effective as a cancer cure, provide relief from pain and discomfort.

Nutritional Therapy
Amongst the other kinds of alternative cancer remedy, Nutritional Therapy is the most widely publicized. It has been medically proved that some food prevent and can even cure some cancer forms like breast cancer. In fact, recent discoveries point out to the cancer-combating agents present in fruits like pomegranates and red berries.

Naturopathy and Homeopathy
Naturopathy and Homeopathy are grounded on similar lines. Both therapies believe in achieving bodily harmony, which in turn rouses the self-healing process, which can relieve the symptoms of many forms of cancer like prostate, colon, liver or skin. The core difference in these two cancer remedy methods lies in their modus operandi.

While Homeopathy is almost like vaccination, wherein trace amounts of cancer-inducing agents are introduced in the body in an attempt to trigger a defense mechanism to combat the disease, Naturopathy is actually an amalgamation of various methods like Homeopathy, usage of herbal substances or electrical treatment to achieve the requisite bodily balance.

Other upcoming alternative treatments include:

While many alternative cancer treatment methods agree to the use of natural processes, some like the oxygen and ozone therapies profess the injection of oxygen and ozone to retard the growth of cancer cells and even have them transmute into normal cells.

Recently gaining ground in the dominion of alternative cancer treatment methodologies is the Bristol Approach, combining physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual therapies, aimed at corporal and mental well being.

Its underlying philosophy shares ground with many holistic lines of treatment. These empower the mind to control the bodily processes. The Bristol Approach also incorporates numerous self-help techniques to aid the cancer patient during this treatment period.

The synergistic effect of these alternative cancer cure methods is far greater than when used in seclusion. The alternative treatment is doubly effective when used in conjunction with some conventional mode of cancer remedy.

David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in the manufacture of various skin peels, skin cancer, and acne treatments for doctors offices and medispas. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com