Glossary
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- Acupressure
- Acupressure is an Oriental healing system that uses the application of fingertip pressure on specific tension spots on the body to reduce stress and pain and to treat specific symptoms or disorders. The mechanisms of acupressure and acupuncture remain difficult to document in terms of biochemical processes; numerous testimonials are the primary evidence backing up the effectiveness of these healing systems. However, a body of research is growing that verified the effectiveness in acupressure and acupuncture techniques in treating many problems and in controlling pain.
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- Acupuncture
- Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental healing therapy which stimulates the flow of subtle energy, (or chi), within the body by inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin; by massage, by thermal therapy, or by a combination of all three. Each point is located along a meridian and is associated with specific organs, and is considered to have a particular therapeutic effect.
Despite the ambiguity in the biochemistry involved, acupuncture continues to show effectiveness in clinical tests, from reducing pain to alleviating the symptoms of chronic illnesses, and research in acupuncture is currently growing. The Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institute of Health is currently funding research in the use of acupuncture for treating depression and attention deficit disorder.
Acupuncturists may obtain certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Providers who are certified by this organization are denoted with "Dipl. Ac." in the provider directory.
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- Medical Acupuncture
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Medical acupuncture seeks to integrate traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training and thereby synthesize a more comprehensive approach to health care.
Medical acupuncture has evolved in America which uses traditional methods mainly as surgical techniques and pain management, and not as part of Chinese medicine overall. Medical acupuncture can be performed by an MD or an osteopathic physician (DO). Currently twenty-three states allow only this type of acupuncture. Practitioners get their training as part of a conventional medical school program. Since any MD can legally perform acupuncture, The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) was chartered in 1987 to support the education and correct practice of physician-trained acupuncturists. Its members must be either MDs or DOs who have completed proper study of acupuncture techniques. Address: 5820 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90036, phone (213) 937-5514.
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- Alternative/Holistic Veterinary or Pet Care
- Holistic veterinary or pet care looks at the whole, not just at the isolated parts of an animal. This approach focuses on resolving the cause of the problem, not just alleviating the symptoms. Overall improvement of the quality of life and living of the animal is the goal. In addition to traditional Western approaches, such as using antibiotics and surgery, holistic pet or animal care involves acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbology, Bach flower remedies, and nutritional therapies.
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- Medical Acupuncture
- Medical acupuncture seeks to integrate traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training and thereby synthesize a more comprehensive approach to health care.
Medical acupuncture has evolved in America which uses traditional methods mainly as surgical techniques and pain management, and not as part of Chinese medicine overall. Medical acupuncture can be performed by an MD or an osteopathic physician (DO). Currently twenty-three states allow only this type of acupuncture. Practitioners get their training as part of a conventional medical school program. Since any MD can legally perform acupuncture, The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) was chartered in 1987 to support the education and correct practice of physician-trained acupuncturists. Its members must be either MDs or DOs who have completed proper study of acupuncture techniques. Address: 5820 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90036, phone (213) 937-5514.
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- Aromatherapy
- Aromatherapy uses various aromatic herbs, volatile oils and similar preparations from plants, flowers, trees and herbs to achieve health, vitality and rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit. Aromatherapy uses very concentrated "essential" oils, often mixed or diluted with other oils and rubbed on the skin, sprayed in the air, inhaled or applied as a compress. Aromatherapists believe that the aroma of these "essential" oils directly stimulates the brain or that the oils are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, where they can affect the whole body and promote healing. Scientists have proven that some scents like lavender may, indeed, have real effects that promote a sense of well-being.
Today, the use of holistic aromatherapy is widely accepted in Europe, particularly in Great Britain, where it is commonly used in conjunction with massage as both a psychological and physiological healing tool. In the United States, where aromatherapy is often misunderstood as solely a cosmetic treatment, the mainstream medical community has been slower to accept it.
Certification or licensing is currently not required to become an aromatherapist in the United States; however, many states require that healthcare professionals who practice the "hands-on" therapies often used in conjunction with aromatherapy (e.g., massage) to be licensed. There are state-licensed educational institutions that offer certificates and/or diplomas in aromatherapy training. Individuals interested in aromatherapy treatment from a professional aromatherapist may be able to obtain a referral from one of these institutions, or from their current healthcare provider.
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- Astrology
- An ancient system of divination based on the belief that planetary cosmic cycles influence human affairs. Symbolic factors, such as the location of birth, assist in the examination of the different levels of the emotional and spiritual psychology and physiology of the individual.
Astrology can help you to explore deeper individual potential and meaning, to see how aspects of your personality may be integrated. This facilitates an understanding of the cycles of life, thus promoting ways to achieve the greatest practical application and fulfillment from the energies symbolized in the chart.
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- Aura Readings/Therapy
- An aura is a protective psychic and spiritual energy field that surrounds the physical body. The size, shape, and color of the aura can then be analyzed to reveal specific physical, emotional, and mental problems. Aura therapy is not generally accepted as valid by the conventional medical community. However, there is growing use among registered nurses in the United States of therapeutic touch to smooth patients' aura energy fields. Therapeutic touch, which involves touching the patient's aura rather than the skin, is being taught in a number of nursing schools, including the Center for Human Caring at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The therapy is used to relieve pain, promote healing, and relieve stress. Skeptics of the treatment say there are no scientific studies that document the benefits of aura therapy or the existence of human energy fields. No formal training or certification is required to practice aura reading or therapy. However, a number of alternative medicine and healing schools offer formal training and certification.
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- Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic Medicine
- Ayurvedic medicine originated in ancient India. "Ayur" means life or living, and "veda" means knowledge, so ayurveda has been defined as the knowledge of living or the science of longevity. Ayurveda uses diet, detoxification, and purification techniques, herbal and mineral remedies, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and massage therapy as holistic healing methods. Ayurvedic medicine is widely practiced in modern India, and had been steadily gaining followers in the West.
Some ayurvedic herbal mixtures have been proven to have high antioxidant properties, much stronger than vitamins A, C, and E, and some have also been shown in laboratory tests to reduce or eliminate tumors in mice and to inhibit cancer growth in human lung tumor cells.
Studies have shown that ayurvedic therapies can significantly lower cholesterol and blood pressure in stress-related problems. Also, ayurvedic remedies have been used successfully to support the healing process of patients undergoing chemotherapy, as these remedies have been demonstrated to increase immune system activity.
In the United States, there is no standardized program for the certification of ayurvedic practitioners. Many practitioners have primary degrees, either as M.D.s, homeopaths, or naturopathic physicians, with additional training in ayurveda.
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- Biofeedback
- A scientific technique to tune into and consciously control bodily functions by hooking up to a monitoring device that reads certain physiological responses and feeds information back to the user.
Research published in late 1999 indicated that neuro-feedback may be a promising new tool in the treatment of schizophrenia.There may also be some debate among mental health professionals as to whether biofeedback should be considered a first line treatment for some mental illnesses, and to what degree other treatments, such as medication, should be employed as an adjunct therapy.
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- Body Ecology
- This approach teaches you about how to heal the digestive system by eliminating processed foods and incorporating healing foods.
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- Chakra Balancing
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Healing techniques which are intended to clear the blockages restricting the flow of energy in the chakras (psychic energy centers in the etheric body) located in various points that range from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Various approaches may be used to "balance" the chakras. Chakra balancing is believed to promote health by maximizing the flow of energy in the body, much as a tune-up enables a car to operate at peak efficiency.This technique is closely associated with Aura Readings and other forms of Energy work.
Although there is a growing body of research documenting the positive effects of yoga and meditation, chakras have not been measured by scientific instruments. Support for the concept is based on anecdotal rather than scientific evidence.
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- Chelation Therapy
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Chelation therapy is a series of intravenous injections of the synthetic amino acid EDTA, designed to detoxify the body. Often used to treat arteriosclerosis, angina, Alzheimer's disease. Proponents say that chelation also reverses gangrene, relieves the pain associated with lupus and arthritis, and reverses memory loss.
Chelation is a highly controversial therapy. The treatment is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lead poisoning and seriously high calcium levels. However, it has not been approved for heart problems and other serious medical conditions. Agencies to contact for approved members are The American Board of Chelation Therapy, and The American College for Advancement in Medicine.
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- Chiropractic medicine
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Chiropractic is a theory of healing founded on the belief that disease results from an interference with nerve function. Chiropractic medicine does not use drugs or surgery, nor is it intended to treat disease as such. Instead it attempts to maintain the structural functional integrity of the nervous system. According to the theory of chiropractic, this is accomplished by massage and manipulation of the spine, joints and soft tissues. Many allopathic or traditionally trained physicians enjoy cordial referral relationships with chiropractors. The public is certainly strongly in favor of chiropractic treatment. An estimated 15% of people in the United States used chiropractic care in 1997. Chiropractors see the lion's share of all patients who seek medical help for back problems.
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- Colonics
- Also called colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy, it is the process of cleansing the colon by passing several gallons of water through it with the use of special equipment. It is similar to an enema but treats the whole colon, not just the lower bowel. This has the effect of flushing out impacted fecal matter, toxins, mucous, and even parasites, which often build up over the passage of time. It is a procedure that should only be undertaken by a qualified practitioner.
Although many alternative health care practitioners swear by colonic irrigation, there is a large allopathic lobby that claims that there are no benefits to be had, and that there are dangers involved. However, there are many decades of records and research from the alternative health care community, which indicate that this therapy may have a valuable place in the treatment of degenerative diseases and toxic conditions.
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- Color Therapy
- Color therapy is based on the idea that certain colors promote healing energies. The therapy uses the seven colors of the rainbow (violet, indigo, blue, green, orange, red) to promote balance and healing in the mind and body. Practitioners can wrap their patients in colored cloth chosen for its therapeutic hue, be bathed in color-filled light source, or drink colored water for its purported healing qualities. Color may also be used environmentally to achieve calming or healing effects. Paint, wall and window treatments, furniture and decorative accessories may all be selected in specific color families. Clothing, and even music may also be chosen in this regard.
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- Conservation
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- Cooperatives (Coops)
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- Crystal Mining
- Arkansas is tremendously blessed to be home to some of the finest natural quartz crystal in the world. There are a multitude of mines in both the Hot Springs and Mt. Ida areas of the state, but one can find quartz crystals in many parts of central, west-central Arkansas.
Crystals have long been thought to have healing and therapeutic properties, as well as are prized for their natural beauty as decorative items for the home and for jewelry.
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- Crystals
- Although its effectiveness is disputed, crystal healing is generally safe and inexpensive. Crystals are used in a variety of ways in holistic healing, including the patient and the healer holding the stones. The healer may hold one stone on one hand while using the other to touch the body part in need of healing. Crystals are worn as a pendant (said to be particularly effective in treating thymus gland problems). Beneficial stones can be selected by simply picking up various crystals and determining which ones seem to harmonize with the energy frequencies of the individual. Some healers work solely with crystals, while others combine them with aura or chakra work. Medical professionals place little credence in crystal therapy. Their skepticism stems from a lack of scientific evidence for the healing effects of crystals, and from differences of opinion among practitioners about how the therapy actually works. A number of schools in Europe and North America offer courses in crystal therapy, but the field is largely unregulated. Many individuals use crystals for self-healing.
Gemstone therapy is an alternative technique for strengthening the body and resolving issues and patterns. The theory is that gemstones carry vibrational rates. By placing these vibrational rates within the aura - your aura's vibrational rates also change.
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- Doulas and Midwives
- A Doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.
A midwife monitors the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle; provides the mother with individualized care and support during labor and delivery, and postpartum.
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- Dowsing
- The skill of divining for underground sources of water or other practical and spiritual matters by means of a divining rod or variety of other means, such as the pendulum, or even by device-less techniques.
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- Dream Interpretation/Therapy
- Dreams are mental activity associated with the rapid-eye-movement period of sleep. Generally consists of visual images and may reflect bodily disturbances or external stimuli.
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- Ear Candling
- Also called Ear Coning, Ear Candling involves placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear canal, while the opposite end is lit. It is primarily used for relieving wax build-up and related hearing problems. Ear candling is also used for ear infections and sinus infections.
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- Eco-Tours and Herbal Tours
- Eco-tourism and tours are defined as travel or vacationing to natural areas with a focus on wildlife and promotion of understanding and conservation of the environment. Herbal tours are oftentimes tours of existing herb gardens, whether in an urban or rural setting, but can also encompass other forms of awareness, such as forays into the wilderness to scout for sources of natural herbal remedies.
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- Education/Workshops
- An array of educational opportunities in the Natural State includes many types of alternative and holistic healing experiences.
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- Environmental/Recycling
- A sampling of people, places and businesses in Arkansas that seek to help heal the planet.
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- Energy Field Work/Energy Medicine
- Energy Field Work/Energy Medicine
Practitioners look for weaknesses in the energy field in and around the client's body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance. Energy channeled through the practitioner is directed to strengthen the body's natural defenses and help the client's physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual state. This area encompasses a broad spectrum of modalities, including EFT, reiki, chakra balancing, and others. Over the course of the past three decades, energy medicine has moved from being a marginal area of research to gaining a large measure of mainstream acceptance.
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- Holistic Eye Care
- Alternative approaches to eye care use many forms of holistic medicine to treat patients with a wide range of visual problems. The orientation is to identify and treat the cause of the symptoms. Although vision exercises are oftentimes a focus, nutrition, body-work, acupuncture, herbs, colored light therapy, biofeedback, psychotherapy, and even glasses, are used. By approaching the visual difficulty from a holistic perspective, visual problems can often be arrested and sometimes even reversed.
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- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in a structured set of rules designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies.
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- Feng Shui
- Feng shui, pronounced "foong swee" (Cantonese) or "fong shway" (Mandarin) is the Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in the environment in order to achieve energy harmony and balance. Feng shui analyzes and designs environments to cultivate a sense of well-being and support. Good feng shui is believed to promote health, prosperity, creativity, positive social relationships, self-confidence, contemplation, and respect for others.
Feng shui has been practiced throughout Asia for thousands of years, and has recently grown in popularity in the United States as a tool for home design. Although considered part of traditional Chinese medicine in Asia, it is not largely regarded as a healthcare tool in the United States.
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- Flower Remedies
- The use of flower remedies involves creating extracts from flowering plants in homeopathic proportions as catalysts for healing. Flower essences are intended to alleviate negative emotional states that may contribute to illness or hinder personal growth. Each liquid preparation carries the imprint of a specific plant, which speaks a subtle language that works on the root cause of disease. The appropriate essences are chosen by trained therapists based on the client’s emotional state. Bach flower remedies and flower essences have not yet officially won the support of allopathic medicine, despite the fact that more and more medical doctors are referring patients for such treatments. Some practitioners refer skeptics to the research that has been done regarding the “auras” of living things. Theoretically, the stronger the aura, the more alive an organism, and flower essences have very strong auras.
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- Fresh Cut Flowers
- Researchers at Rutgers University have learned that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups. Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Study participants reported feeling less depressed and anxious after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction. The presence of flowers can also lead to increased contact with family and friends. (from http://www.aboutflowers.com)
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- Guided Imagery/Past Life Regression
- Guided imagery is the conscious use of the imagination to create positive images ("healing visualizations") in order to bring about healthful changes in both the body and the mind.
It can involves the use of one's imagination to promote mental and physical health. It can be self-directed, where the individual puts himself into a relaxed state and creates his own images, or directed by others. When directed by others, an individual listens to a therapist, video, or an audiotape exercise that leads the person through a relaxation and imagery exercise. Some therapists also use guided imagery within group settings. Use of guided imagery is a widely accepted practice among mental healthcare providers and is gaining acceptance as a powerful pain control tool across a number of medical disciplines.
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- Herbs and Herbal Products, Herbalism, Herbalists
- This category covers a broad range of herbal offerings, and includes individuals and companies based in Arkansas that sell individual or combinations of fresh herbs, as well as herbal tinctures, and other products, as well as listings of herbalism practitioners, or herbalists.
Western herbalism is a form of the healing arts that draws from herbal traditions of Europe and the Americas, and that emphasizes the study and use of European and Native American herbs in the treatment and prevention of illness. Western herbalism is based on physicians' and herbalists' clinical experience and traditional knowledge of medicinal plant remedies preserved by oral tradition and in written records over thousands of years. Western herbalism, like the much older system of traditional Chinese medicine, relies on the curative properties of the plant to treat symptoms and disease and maintain health. Practitioners may choose to use fresh medicinal plants, simple extracts, or standardized extracts.
Western herbalism is experiencing a revival of popular and professional interest, and is incorporated into the medical practice of licensed Naturopathic doctors, who receive special training in clinical herbalism. Folk herbalists, heir to the oral traditions passed down from generation to generation in many rural areas, as well as amateur, self-taught herbalists, keep the practice of botanical medicine alive at the grassroots level.
In the United States, courses of study in herbalism are available in almost all of the fifty states. The study of traditional herbalism is part of the course curriculum in Naturopathic medical colleges that offer four-year degree programs leading to licensure as a Doctor of Naturopathy.
However, no licensing body yet exists in the United States to regulate the practice of herbal medicine.
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- Holistic Counseling/Psychotherapy
- A holistic approach to counseling and/or psychotherapy is a wellness approach. Instead of looking at what is wrong with people, a holistic approach wants to know what is right with them: their strengths and resources. It celebrates the human spirit in the face of adversity. Holistic counselors incorporate the principles of mind, body, and spirit into their counseling practices. Holistic counselors often obtain licensure from a state board that oversees the profession and practice of counseling.
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- Holistic Dentistry
- Holistic dentistry focuses on the use of non-toxic restorative materials for dental work, and emphasizes the unrecognized impact that dental toxins and dental infections may have on a person's overall health. While traditional dentistry focuses only on the areas above the neck, holistic dentistry looks at the patient as a whole system and how the mouth relates to the rest of the body.
Although supportive research is limited regarding the alternative methods used by holistic dentists, advocates of the complementary treatment continue to grow. With the formation of the Holistic Dental Association in 1978, a shift to treating the entire patient’s health needs is emerging from dentists, dental hygienists, and health care practitioners from all fields who endorse these ideas. Holistic dentists are those who have been trained as an authorized practitioner of dentistry through a school of medicine acquiring a degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.). Their focus is one that combines conventional teachings with new, complementary methods to treat their patient's health needs.
Many of the medical services provided by holistic dentists are paid for by health care insurance in the United States (excluding HMO and Medicare). Insurance typically pays for “usual and customary” treatments, such as laboratory tests, doctor visits, medical treatment, and x-rays.
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- Holistic Medicine (General Practice)
- A practitioner with a holistic approach treats the symptoms of illness as well as looking for the underlying cause of the illness. Holistic medicine also attempts to prevent illness by placing a greater emphasis on optimizing health. Holistic therapies tend to emphasize proper nutrition and avoidance of substances that pollute the body. Such approaches are particularly helpful in treating chronic illnesses and in maintaining health through proper nutrition and stress management.
The goal of holistic medicine is to an individual's life, and in particular the energy flowing through the body, back into harmony. Traditionally, holistic medicine has been regarded with mistrust on the part of the allopathic medical profession. However, this situation is changing, and in more recent years, many insurance companies provide for some form of alternative or complementary treatments. In addition, many allopathic physicians are actually referring patients to in particular chiropractors and relaxation therapists.
An excellent source for qualified practitioners is the American Board of Holistic Medicine, (AHBM), which was incorporated in 1996. Also, the American Holistic Medicine Association has a comprehensive list of practitioners in all types of therapies across the United States, which they call "the holistic doctor finder." However, they stress that it is the responsibility of the patient to check each practitioner's credentials prior to treatment.
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- Holistic Pharmacies
- Holistic, or compounding pharmacies, offer customized medicines for reluctant patients (including children and pets). Compounding is a different delivery system - an alternative to swallowing pills or elixirs. Examples are creams or gels that are absorbed by the skin or medicine that is placed into lollipops.
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- Holographic Repatterning
- Developed by Chloe Faith Wordsworth, holographic repatterning is a system of self-healing that allows a person to transform the unconscious patterns and beliefs that create limitations in one’s life. When we feel stuck, depressed or in pain, our frequencies are out of balance. Holographic Repatterning restores our vibrations to their proper frequency level, and problems disappear.
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- Homeopathy
- Homeopathy is a system of treatment that appeared in the late 18th century. It is based on the idea that substances that produce symptoms of sickness in healthy people will have a curative effect when given in very dilute quantities to sick people who exhibit those same symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are believed to stimulate the body's own healing processes. Homeopathy uses various plants and minerals in very small doses to strengthen a sick person's natural defenses. Licensed MDs/DOs/NDs skilled in homeopathy choose the plant or mineral based on its ability to create in overdose similar symptoms to those the sick person is experiencing. Homeopaths may obtain certification from the Council for Homeopathic Certification.
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- Honey
- Raw honey has been used for centuries for its many healing benefits, including help for skin problems, allergies, digestion, and many other uses. Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Besides the above, copper, iodine, and zinc exist in it in small quantities. Honey is also antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial, and it never spoils. (http://www.reallyrawhoney.com)
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- Hydrotherapy
- Hydrotherapy refers to the use of water in the treatment of disease or trauma. It utilizes treatment with any of the three forms of water: liquid, solid, or vapor. The temperature of the water used also affects the therapeutic properties of the treatment. The most common technique of hydrotherapy involves the use of whirlpool tanks. These tanks permit immersion within the agitated water of one or more of the extremities, or the patient may sit in the tub. Larger therapy units incorporate larger whirlpools, and can accommodate both the patient and the therapist. This latter is beneficial when passive exercise is indicated for treatment. Hydrotherapy is practiced by a number of physical therapists, medical doctors, nurses and naturopathic physicians.
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- Iridology
- A science involving the study of the iris,( or colored part)of the eye as a diagnostic tool to reveal health or disorders in the human body. It is based on the premise that the nerves, muscle fibers and blood vessels in the iris are connected to corresponding locations in the body.
Iris "readings" are made to assess a person's overall health picture and to guide them to take measures to improve their health. According to the International Iridology Research Association, "Iridology operates in a gray area in North America. In general, there are no laws defining or regulating the practice. In Europe, especially in Germany, Iridology is well recognized and routinely used by natural medicine practitioners."
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- Kinesiology
- The study of how the body works, using "muscle testing" as a feedback process.
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- Kirlian Photography
- A photographic process using a high voltage, low amperage field of 50,000 bolts or more. Invented by Semyon and Valentina Kirlian. Kirlian photography picks up radiation around objects and humans which is not visible to the eye.
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- Labyrinths
- The labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. Herbert Benson, MD, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, has found that focused walking meditations are highly efficient in reducing anxiety and eliciting what he calls the "relaxation response." This effect has significant long-term health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, slowing breathing rates, reducing incidents of chronic pain, and reducing insomnia.These demonstrated health benefits have led many health care and other facilities to install labyrinths on their grounds.
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- Lavender/ Lavender products
- Lavender is prized for its fragrance and for its multiple beneficial uses, including repelling unwanted insects, as smelling salts, as a sedative, antispasmodic, and for its tranquilizing effects, among others. Lavender has long been used as a headache remedy, especially headaches that occur from stress. The oil is highly antiseptic and has been used as a topical disinfectant for wounds, as it can kill many forms of common bacteria. It makes a very pleasant foot bath or massage oil. It can help with digestion, and in combination with other oils, to support the nervous system.
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- Mandalas
- A Mandala (Sankrit for "circle"), is an abstract or geometric design, usually circular. Mandalas are well-known in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity as well as in the New Age era, as a diagram used for meditation, protection, and healing. Each mandala represents the universe pictorially. The individual focuses successively on each stage or area of the mandala, absorbing the logic of its form as the individual visually approaches the center. Mandalas can:
* Help you balance yourself, and your brain.
* Support you in grounding yourself.
* Help in re-establishing energy.
* Help to connect you with your inner self and to attune you with your physical body.
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- Massage
- Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body. There are multiple forms and approaches to massage, including acupressure, Ayurvedic, Bowen Technique, Feldenkrais, healing hot stone, Hellerman technique, Jin Shin Do, myofascial release, Quantum Touch, rolfing, Sports, Shiatsu, structural integration, Swedish, Tragerwork, Watsu, and many others.
The generally accepted standard for training for a massage therapist is a minimum of 500 classroom hours. A national certification program was inaugurated in June 1992 by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Those certified can use the title Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB), after their name. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training also accredit massage training programs.
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- Meditation Courses
- Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation and enhance personal and spiritual growth. The meditation courses listed in the Holistic Arkansas directory vary from short, intensive sessions, to sessions over several weeks or months in length, Meditation courses most often explore varied methods of meditation & visualization, as well as help the student establish a routine for personal practice at home.
Studies dating back as far as the 1960s prove that meditation affects metabolism, the endocrine system, the central nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. There is a large amount of evidence of the medical benefits of meditation. Meditation is particularly effective as a treatment for chronic pain. Studies have shown meditation reduces symptoms of pain and pain-related drug use.
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- Music, Art and Dance
- Some of the listings here are strictly recreational and/or entertainment in orientation. However, others are bona fide therapies.
- Art therapy encourages the expression and understanding of one’s emotions through artistic expression and the creative process.
- Dance therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement to further the social,
cognitive, emotional and physical development of the individual. They work with people of all ages in both group and individual therapy. Dance therapists try to help people develop communication skills, a positive self-image and emotional stability.
- Music therapy is a technique of complementary medicine that uses music prescribed by trained therapists. Programs are designed to help patients overcome emotional, intellectual, physical or social challenges. Applications range from improving the well-being of geriatric patients in nursing homes to lowering the stress level and pain of women in labor.
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- Medicine Wheel
- Native American sacred circle representing the Universe and the balance of all creation. It is cast to contain, project and raise energy to transform, balance and heal.
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- Naprapathy
- Naprapathy utilizes hands-on healing techniques as well as nutritional counseling, exercise, and relaxation methods to treat a range of health problems, most commonly back, neck, and hip problems. Naprapaths treat connective tissue disorders with CTM Therapy (connective tissue manipulation therapy), neuromuscular techniques, adjunctive therapies (such as electro-therapy, ultrasound, soft laser, infrared, hot/cold packs), traction, therapeutic exercises and orthopedic appliances and supports.
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- Native American Medicine/Naturalists (Shamans)
- Native American medicine is based on widely held beliefs about healthy living, the repercussions of disease-producing behavior, and the spiritual principles that restore balance. The methods of diagnosis and treatment vary greatly from tribe to tribe and healer to healer, but often include prayer, chanting, music, smudging (burning sage or aromatic woods), herbs, laying-on of hands, massage, counseling, imagery, fasting, harmonizing with nature, dreaming, sweat lodges, developing inner silence, going on a shamanic journey, and ceremony. Medicine people do not write down their practices out of fear that they might be misused by those who are not trained in their sacred ways. The most prominent users of this form of medicine are Native Americans or others who want a spiritually based approach to medicine.
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- Naturopathy
- A traditional medical art that uses nature's laws and forces to achieve the adaptive balance we call health. The naturopathic view sees the whole person in relationship to external and internal environments. Typical remedies include sunbathing, steam bathing, exercise, manipulation and a regulated diet that includes high vegetable consumption and abstinence from salt and stimulants. The naturopathic practitioner educates individuals about the body's natural vitality and potential for self-healing and promotes a healthy, natural lifestyle.
Naturopathic medical students attend a four-year medical school and are educated in many of the same basic sciences, including anatomy and disease. They also study holistic therapies such as nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, hydrotherapy, and counseling. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.
Only 12 states in the United States license naturopathy, and they do not include Arkansas at present.
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- Natural/Organic Food Sources
- Organic foods are widely regarded as containing multiple health benefits, specifically they contain fewer pesticide residues and food additives, organically raise cattle are BSE-free, organic farming bans genetically modified organisms (GMOs), cuts antibiotic use, and organic farming practices minimize food poisoning risks. This list is an attempt to provide as many local sources of organically grown or raised food in Arkansas as possible. We are always looking for more sources, though, so if you are aware of these, please let us know!
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- Nutritionists
- Good nutrition can help prevent disease and promote health. There are six categories of nutrients that the body needs to acquire from food: protein, carbohydrates, fats, fibers, vitamins and minerals, and water.
A holistic nutritionist is "one who focuses on the individual, attempts to assess his or her needs, suggests lifestyle modifications, educates the person on why those modifications are beneficial and helps the individual understand how everything works." Currently, holistically trained nutritionists obtain their titles from the educational program and/or from the certifying association requirements they complete. These titles include registered dietitian, certified clinical nutritionist, certified nutritionist, certified nutrition consultant, certified nutrition educator and certified nutritional specialist.
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- Organizations
- Organizations listed are those groups that seek to promote access to alternative/holistic information, or who seek to promote the lifestyle or related activities.
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- Polarity Therapy
- Asserts that balancing the flow of energy in the body is the foundation of health. Specific points along the currents are said to hold positive or negative energies. Practitioners use gentle touch and guidance in diet, exercise and self-awareness to help clients balance their energy flow, thus supporting a return to health.
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- Publications
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- Psychics
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- Psychotherapy (holistic)
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- Qigong
- Qigong is a comprehensive system practiced in order to generate more vital energy and attain higher levels of spiritual and mental enrichment. Strong functional health, emotional balance, and enlightenment are the main areas of study and practice.
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- Raw Foods
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- Reflexology
- Reflexology is a technique in which pressure is applied to specific points on the feet (and sometimes the hands) to promote relaxation and improve overall health.
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- Reiki
- Reiki (pronounced "ray-kee") is a therapeutic technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allows everyone to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve health and enhance the quality of life.
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- Restaurants
- These establishments are smoke-free and/or offer organic or vegetarian items)
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- Retail Establishments/suppliers
- These establishments offer a variety of products or supplies that support or enhance an alternative/holistic lifestyle.
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- Seed Companies and Exchanges
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- Schools
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- Solar Panels
- Alternative source of energy. The sun's energy is used to produce heat or electricity.
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- Sound Therapy/Vibrational Healing
- Promotes healing by balancing the body's energy field. Can include acupuncture, homeopathy, flower essences, sound & color healing, crystals, gems, aromatherapy, and energy-based bodywork
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- Sustainable Communities
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- Tai Chi
- Rooted in Chinese tradition, tai chi is a practice for self-healing. Tai chi is characterized by a series of slow, meditative movements that balance internal healing energies.
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- Tarot Readings/Teachers
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- Transactional Analysis
- Transactional Analysis is a process used to diagnose the ego states where verbal exchanges originate, as well as techniques to use this information to improve communication. Usually T.A. involves helping the client get in touch with internal parent/adult/child transactions that affect human behavior.
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- Vision Quest
- Native American spiritual practice for opening up to the universe and perceiving a clairvoyant vision of your personal guide for the purpose of prophesy, protection and discovering your life's purpose
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- Voluntary Simplicity
- (also Backwoods Living/Homesteading)
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- Water
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- Wellness Centers, Retreats and Spas
- Wellness Centers focus the practice of wellness, which is overall, the ability to live life to the fullest and to maximize personal potential in a variety of ways. Wellness places responsibility on the individual, and involves continuous re-assessment to enhance your state of wellness.
Retreat Centers often provide the combination of both physical and spiritual rejuvenation, while traditional spas are more focused on providing physical relaxation and renewal.
Each of these types of activities and facilities are intended to help re-focus and de-stress the individual.
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- Women’s Spirituality
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- Yoga
- Yoga means "union." Yoga is an art and a science based on the belief that the body and the breath are connected with the mind. It is believed that by controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas, a harmony is created within. On the mental level, yoga uses breathing techniques and meditation to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind. However, experts are quick to point out that yoga is not a religion, but a way of living with health and peace of mind as its aims.
Among the most common types of yoga practiced in the United States are hatha yoga, which focuses primarily on physical exercise and postures. The two major types of hatha yoga are ashtanga and Iyengar. Other types of yoga include anasara, bhakti, integrative, kripalu, kundalini, raja, viniyoga, and many others, each with their own physical and philosophical objectives.
There are presently no national or standard certification requirements for yoga. Practitioners can, however, receive training and complete independent certification programs. discipline and meditation techniques. Beginners should search for teachers who show respect and are careful in their teaching, and should beware of instructors who push them into poses before they are ready.