Alternative medicines are increasingly gaining traction in the UK as a valid form of treatment. More than half of the adult population says they use some form of alternative medicine to help treat and cure illnesses such as headaches, pain, and even cancer.
But what exactly is alternative medicine?
This term describes any health treatment that’s used instead of mainstream (traditional) therapies. It’s also referred to as complementary or integrative medicine, as some people use it alongside standard medical practices. The alternative medicine field is diverse, comprising of everything from healthy lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercise to treatments like hypnosis. If you’re interested in alternative therapy but don’t know where to start, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 10 alternative medicines to try in 2021.
1. Acupuncture
This is a traditional Chinese medical practice that uses needles to stimulate sensory nerves in your body. The fine needles penetrate your skin, causing your body to produce natural substances such as endorphins to help alleviate pain symptoms. Modern acupuncture practices incorporate the use of electrical stimulation, where a practitioner inserts two needles at each treatment point and stimulates them using an electric current. Research shows that both methods are quite effective in treating tension or chronic headaches, chronic pain, and other medical conditions.
2. Acupressure
Like acupuncture, acupressure involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and muscles to restore health and wellness. But, instead of needles, a practitioner uses their elbows, hands, or feet to apply pressure along specific points. Traditionally, acupressure works to relieve blockages along your body’s meridian so that energy can flow freely again. Today, many people widely use acupressure to help cure insomnia, back pain, and headaches. Some studies also find acupressure quite beneficial for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress.
3. CBD oil
If you’re looking for a more natural alternative to conventional drugs, consider using CBD oil. Derived from the cannabis plant, this oil can benefit your health in several ways by alleviating and relieving the symptoms of: • Anxiety and depression • Chronic pain • Nausea • Cancer • Alzheimer’s disease • Allergies and asthma • Lung conditions • Sleep disorders • Parkinson’s disease • Epilepsy CBD oil is not psychoactive, so you don’t have to worry about changes in your perception or behaviour when consumed. Get your CBD oil from a certified provider to make sure it’s safe and legal.
4. Hypnotherapy
This practice puts you in a deep state of relaxation to access any subconscious thoughts, memories, or beliefs that affect the way you act. A hypnotherapist then uses various methods, including suggestion, to help you change these unwanted behaviours and thoughts. Hypnotherapy aims to increase your self-awareness by helping you identify and understand areas in your life that have negatively impacted your mental health. Many people find hypnosis helpful in treating conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, and phobias.
5. Ayurvedic medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian practice that uses medicines made from plants and minerals to balance the body, mind, and spirit and to restore health while promoting overall wellness. Other Ayurvedic practices include massage, specialised diets, and panchakarma, which cleanse the body of all unwanted waste, restoring it to its natural state of balance.
6. Chiropractic medicine
Chiropractic medicine is widely accepted in the modern-day medical industry, with many doctors prescribing it alongside other medical treatments. It focuses on healing by touch, where a chiropractor applies controlled force to joints to restore mobility or loosen the muscles in that area. The most common form of chiropractic medicine is spinal manipulation; an adjustment that allows your spinal tissues to heal from any injury or stress that causes pain. If your back is stiff or you sit for extended periods, you might want to consider chiropractic treatments to improve your back conditions.
7. Meditation and yoga
Although meditation and yoga are different, they go hand in hand as both practices encourage you to be mindful and more self-aware. Meditation is more of a workout of the mind and it involves observing your thoughts without judgement to achieve a present and healthy perspective of life. In contrast, yoga is a physical practice that connects your body with your mind. It involves poses and breathing exercises that help relieve anxiety, boost your energy, and improve your flexibility. Blending meditation and yoga can help you become emotionally and physically healthy and give you better control of your life.
8. Aromatherapy
If you’re constantly stressed, nervous, and anxious, you might want to consider aromatherapy. This practice uses essential oils extracted from the leaves and roots of plants such as lavender, mint, and jasmine to promote healing. Normally, these essential oils are inhaled using a humidifier or diffuser, but they can also be massaged into the skin. Aromatherapy can help treat infections or inflammations and improve sleep and wake patterns. However, some people find aromatherapy effective for relaxation and pain relief.
9. Homoeopathy
Generally, homoeopathy focuses on the principle that a harmful substance can be used in small doses to treat the same symptoms it causes. For many, homoeopathy helps improve low moods and can treat stress, anxiety, and depression. Unfortunately, there’s little evidence that backs up homoeopathy as an effective alternative medicine.
10. Massage therapy
Massaging practices use manual manipulation at the site of injury or illness to bring the body back to optimum health. Massage therapy takes into account your physical symptoms, wellbeing, and lifestyle to identify the specific points that require sensitive touch. You can use this practice to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, for pain relief, and to aid wellness in general. If you’re looking outside the field of traditional medicine to treat your own ailments, our list of alternative medicines is a great place to start.
