Alternative Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture has been practiced in the West for several centuries, yet many Americans have never visited a doctor who practices this discipline. You can find a physician...

Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycles between severe depression and manic phases. The illness is not treated in the same way that depression is treated because of the effect antidepressants...

Hypertension can be a serious wake-up call. It is known as a "silent killer" that affects more than 60 million Americans. Although there are many medications such as beta blockers and diuretics...

The healing properties of acupuncture have spread far from their roots in the ancient Orient. Practiced throughout the world as an alternative form of medicine, acupuncture is the art of inserting...

Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body in order to create balance, thus improving health. This practice originated in China 2,000 years ago and is commonly used...

Holistic cures treat the whole person. The theory is that health involves the physical body, the mind and the spirit. Holistic practitioners work directly with patients to determine the best...

Nicotine patches and gum, smokeless cigarettes and other techniques may be fine for some, but quitting smoking can also be attained holistically. These methods concentrate on the well-being of the...

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are caused by inflammation in your body produced in response to pollen, spores, and even bacteria that is in the air. There are several holistic...

While many people rely on Western medicine or relaxation techniques to treat anxiety, others are turning to acupuncture for relief. Acupuncture uses a series of strategically placed needles...

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is an alternative remedy for weight loss. It consists of externally stimulating the body along acupuncture meridians by tapping in a specifically sequenced order....

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, causes stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. This chronic and painful condition makes it difficult for some people to enjoy a reasonable quality...

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that originated in China as one of the earliest forms of medicine. Thin needles are placed into the skin on specific points on the body. Although scientists...

Anxiety is a byproduct of stress. A normal response, anxiety can often be a motivator during exams, competitions, work performance or daily multi-tasking. When kept in check, it may indeed be...

As a relatively new field of treatment in the United States, acupuncturist educational requirements vary, depending on the state, from apprenticeship to post-graduate degrees. About 40 states have...

Osteoarthritis will affect approximately a third of the population ages 45 to 65, according to drbriffa.com . While osteoarthritis is not terminal, it can cause severe pain and stiffness,...

The skin is perhaps our most important organ. It helps regulate our body heat and keeps viruses and bacteria out of our body. However, the skin is also prone to suffering from many different...

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique used in acupuncture. Also called acumoxa or acumoxa, a substance called moxa is burned on a cone-like stick close to the acupuncture...

Serotonin and norenephirine are neurotransmitters that help the body to regulate mood. Serotonin is made by a neurotransmitter called tryptophan, and norenephirine is made by tyrosine. This is...

Today the word acupuncture is synonymous with natural healing. The truth is acupuncture has been around for centuries in countries such as Japan and China and is only now being used in the United...

Peripheral neuropathy is nervous system damage to the network of nerves that sends and receives messages to the spinal chord, the brain and all other parts of the body. There are many causes for...

More than 28 million adults in the United States suffer from debilitating headaches called migraines, according to "Neurology" magazine. These headaches are frequently accompanied by symptoms such...

One alternative pain treatment that’s grown in popularity and acceptance is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for controlling chronic back pain, dental pain, migraine...

If you are tired of the "take two aspirin and call me in the morning" approach, there are other pain-management solutions to try. In fact, there are quite a few innovative remedies being used...

No empirical evidence exists to prove that acupuncture can slow down menopause. Many in the alternative medicine and nutrition professions believe that taking care of your adrenal system can...

Sweaty palms can be an embarrassing, isolating and socially awkward condition. It can cause you to lose your grip on items like doorknobs and car door handles, and can make people live in fear of...

Acupuncture is the process of inserting small needles at precise acupuncture points to promote healing. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey reported that 1.4 percent of Americans had used...

Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing the body which has its origins in China hundreds of years ago. Acupuncture provides a drug-free alternative to those seeking treatment to Generalized...

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the beliefs and practices of the Chinese culture. It has been developed and employed over thousands of years, using herbal medicine, acupuncture,...

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 133.6 million Americans are either overweight or obese. With such a large number of people battling their weight, a countless regimens...

Chronic outer ear infections can be problematic to treat, particularly in children. Often, traditional medical practitioners will prescribe antibiotics repeatedly to address this problem. However,...

Erectile dysfunction, more commonly referred to as impotence, is a touchy subject among the men who experience it. This condition can be either physical or psychological in nature, and cause a...

When thinking about weight loss, people are willing to try almost anything. There are diets, pills, exercise and any combination of weight-loss efforts. With the emergence and adoption of Eastern...

We are inundated these days with commercials for prescription medicines designed to help men with erectile dysfunction. These products may be beneficial, but can have serious side effects for...

The mysteries of the Orient have long captured the interest and imagination of westerners. Thanks to growing globalization, bits of culture from the Far East are becoming more accessible and...

Alternative medicine is also known as holistic medicine. Practitioners in alternative medicine use herbs, chiropractic care and acupuncture to treat certain ailments that are traditionally treated...

Lymphocytic colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon that can cause chronic watery diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Acupuncture is part of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)...

Knee issues and ailments can be painful and frustrating to live with, and the prospect of surgery is scary. To reduce pain, and help the healing process, it's a sound idea to follow a few simple...

Auriculotherapy is a type of acupuncture that focuses on the visible and external part of the ear. It is a fairly common practice in this form of alternative medicine that is believed to treat...

Also called acumoxa or moxabustion, moxibustion is a therapeutic technique that involves the application of heat to specific, targeted points on the patient's body. The heat application is done by...

The energy theory of the body surmises that the body is fueled by more than just calories. Eastern tradition says there is a subtle energy that flows throughout the body, invigorating every cell...

Uterine fibroids affect as many as three out of four women, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common symptoms include heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain--many women don't...

Desperation for relief from itchy eyes, postnasal drip, and congestion will drive some people to look for answers that go beyond over-the-counter antihistamines. The American Academy of Allergy,...

Fibromyalgia is a frustrating, chronic condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, it affects about two percent of the United States population, predominantly women. People who suffer from...

Trigger thumb, also known as trigger finger, is a painful condition that can develop progressively. A finger may first seem stiff, or develop a bump, then may catch in a bent position and pop out...

Gum disease is usually either gingivitis, a mild form of the problem that causes bad breath and bleeding gums, or the more advanced condition of periodontitis, an infection that can lead to tooth...

Acupuncture is the Eastern tradition of inserting and manipulating very fine needles into the skin at specific points on the body. The purpose is therapeutic: to relive pain or other discomforts....

The use of acupressure on the ear, auricular therapy, can be used as a weight loss technique. The theory of acupressure is that pressure points on the body can be stimulated to release energy...

Many smokers who have tried prescription or over-the-counter medications to quit the habit have endured countless side effects. In some cases there were no side effects, but also not a lot of help...

It is estimated that about 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches every year. Most people will seek conventional Western medicine to treat their ailment. But there are viable...

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine, notable for its claim to have fewer negative side effects than Western medicine. There are, however, a few things to be careful of...