It’s common to hear over-50-year-olds complain about aches, pains, and some hormone imbalances. You go to sleep feeling good, and wake up with some kind of noticeable pain out of the blue. It’s true that we’re getting older, and our bodies aren’t as resilient as they once were to withstand the misuse, mistreatment, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, or lack of exercise. But all is not lost, it’s not time to throw in the towel and say, “Well, that’s it, I’m old and that’s all I can expect”. It’s time to change; the gentle nudge on the importance of healthier choices is no longer gentle, it’s as brutal as that shooting pain that jabs, letting you know – it’s no longer a choice but a must. The truth is, there’s a lot of evidence that proves simple changes can make a huge difference. But where and how do you start? It begins with knowing your body. And then there are a plethora of options between the conventional Western medical therapies and alternative practices.
Know Your Body
When it comes to one’s health, you must become the expert on your own body. Sure, doctors are the specialists on the ailments and diseases and how they affect the human form. And even though we are all made the same, we live in different environments, have different cultural practices, eat differently, sleep less or more – basically live different lifestyles – and are born with different genetics. That’s a lot to place on a doctor; however, if you are an expert on your body, it makes it much easier for them and you.
So you’re probably wondering what’s meant by “being an expert on your own body”? It’s simple: pay attention to the things happening in your body. Pay attention to your physical and mental responses – reactions to food, stress, how you feel and your triggers – however subtle they may be.
For instance, here are some personal examples of what that looks like. If I do not have a bowel movement one day, the next day I will feel “off”, from a bloated tummy to brain fog. Since menopause and post-menopause, any negative thought (just thought – not stress) triggers a hot flash! Yes, try it and see if you have the same response. If I’m travelling to a different time zone – from one continent to the next, the first day of that trip is a write-off as far as venturing out and exploring. If I take the time to sleep the first day, I’m good for the rest of the vacation and not so greatly affected by jet lag. As well, I do not suffer from normal headaches; however, I do have migraines usually at the change of seasons, so I make sure I always have my Advil in my bag. But before the migraine pain kicks in, I see the aura that affects my vision, the first sign of the migraine, and if I catch it right then with an Advil, the pain doesn’t come on, although I feel the tension. After many years of suffering from this and paying attention, I know the signs. All these I’ve learned by being mindful of my body, and it helps me to regulate and better understand my mood, fatigue, and to be more discerning of what isn’t “normal” for me.
Additionally, juxtaposed with knowing the issues, is knowing what it feels like when you’re feeling your best – energetic, clear-minded, strong, and happy.
There are a lot of differences that medical doctors have to contend with and consider. So knowing your best and not-so-good, helps your doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis, and makes you the best advocate for yourself.
Speaking of doctors, I’m also a big crusader of blending various types of medical modalities – at the base is my naturopathic doctor and general practitioner of conventional Western medicine. Over the years, the alignment has worked perfectly in tandem. One may make a diagnosis that the other missed or have a completely different view; either way, it’s always worked to my benefit.
A naturopath has a holistic approach, considering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of an individual’s well-being and root causes; whereas the conventional Western practice is symptom-disease focused.
The following guide introduces a range of widely recognized alternative therapies, outlining what they are, what they do and where they originated, so you can explore which approaches may fit your personal path to wellness.
Alternative Therapies
Mind-Body Practices
Meditation
- What it is: A practice of focused attention and mindfulness that calms the mind and body.
- What it does: Enhances self-awareness, reduces stress, improves focus, and promotes emotional balance.
- Origin: Ancient spiritual discipline, deeply rooted in Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions.
Yoga
- What it is: A mind-body practice combining physical postures, breathwork, and meditation.
- What it does: Improves strength, flexibility, mental focus, and stress reduction while fostering inner balance.
- Origin: Originated in ancient India more than 5,000 years ago as a spiritual discipline.
Psychotherapy
- What it is: A professional practice of talking therapies with trained mental health practitioners.
- What it does: Helps individuals explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to improve mental health, cope with challenges, and foster resilience.
- Origin: Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with foundations laid by Sigmund Freud and evolving into diverse modern approaches.
Physical Therapies
Physiotherapy
- What it is: A medical practice focused on restoring movement and physical function.
- What it does: Uses exercises, manual therapy, and rehabilitation techniques to treat injuries, manage pain, and improve mobility.
- Origin: Emerged as a formal healthcare profession in the late 19th century, building on ancient practices of movement therapy.
Chiropractors
- What it is: Licensed healthcare professionals specializing in the spine, joints, and musculoskeletal system.
- What it does: Use spinal adjustments and manipulations to improve alignment, reduce pain, and enhance nervous system function.
- Origin: Founded in the United States in the late 1800s by Daniel David Palmer.
Cupping Therapy
- What it is: A practice that uses glass, bamboo, or silicone cups to create suction on the skin.
- What it does: Increases blood flow, eases muscle tightness, and promotes detoxification and healing.
- Origin: Documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ancient Egyptian texts, and Middle Eastern healing practices.
Massage Therapy
- What it is: The structured manipulation of soft tissues using hands, fingers, or tools.
- What it does: Relieves stress, improves circulation, reduces muscle pain, and promotes relaxation.
- Origin: Practiced across cultures for thousands of years, with roots in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and India.
Reflexology
- What it is: A therapy applying pressure to mapped points on the feet, hands, or ears.
- What it does: Stimulates corresponding body systems, restores balance, and relieves tension.
- Origin: Rooted in ancient Egypt and China, with modern reflexology developed in the early 1900s.
Energy-Based Practices
Energy Healing
- What it is: A broad field of practices aimed at balancing the body’s subtle energy systems.
- What it does: Clears blockages, reduces stress, and enhances physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
- Origin: Found in multiple traditions, from Chinese qi to Indian prana, and modern holistic therapies.
Acupuncture
- What it is: A therapeutic technique that uses thin needles inserted into precise points on the body.
- What it does: Stimulates energy pathways (qi), restores balance, reduces pain, and supports overall well-being.
- Origin: Ancient Chinese practice, developed over 2,500 years ago as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Reiki
- What it is: A Japanese energy healing technique that channels life force energy through the hands.
- What it does: Promotes deep relaxation, reduces stress, and supports the body’s natural healing ability.
- Origin: Created in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui.
Naturopathic Doctors
- What it is: Medical practitioners trained in natural and holistic healthcare methods.
- What it does: Emphasizes prevention and healing through nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, and natural therapies.
- Origin: Developed in 19th-century Europe, later formalized as a profession in North America.
Sound Therapy
- What it is: The use of sound, vibration, and rhythm to promote healing and relaxation.
- What it does: Reduces stress, balances energy, and improves emotional and mental clarity.
Origin: Practiced for centuries across cultures, from Tibetan singing bowls to Indigenous drumming and chanting.
For a list of these alternative options, check out the health and wellness directory www.Cleanincs.com
