Sometimes when you are experiencing mental or physical discomfort, you want relief without needing to take medication. Some people are sensitive to prescription drugs and experience uncomfortable side effects, while others simply prefer to avoid taking a daily pill.
Modern medicine certainly has its place and can be very helpful in treating some conditions, but there are concerns over whether or not medicine is overused. In some situations, the best approach is to find alternative healing modalities that don’t involve a medication that may be covering your symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of the problem. Here are some techniques you can try out for yourself to experience the powerful healing effect that alternative therapies can offer.
Light Therapy
Light therapy is a newer modality that involves exposing yourself to a lamp or laser. Some people are familiar with this type of light exposure to simulate the sun’s rays and alleviate the symptoms of seasonal depression.
There’s also another version of light therapy that involves gentle heat from red light and is called red light therapy. You may be wondering, does red light therapy work? There has been evidence showing that many people experience improvement for several conditions.
Red light therapy is effective at regrowing hair for some types of alopecia. It has been found to improve memory in dementia patients and can even ease some types of pain and inflammation. The power of red light therapy is particularly good for skin conditions and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
Energy Healing
Energy healing has been used around the world for centuries. There are many types, but all involve various techniques to harness and manipulate the energy of the body to promote healing and recovery.
A popular form of energy healing that has gained some favor with the medical community is Reiki. This modality involves laying hands on or above the body and channeling life force energy which then enters the body and goes wherever it is needed to heal and balance.
Another example is the Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT. With EFT, you are instructed to tap various points on your face and body as you recite statements surrounding illnesses or emotional discomforts that you would like to work through. You start by expressing the negative aspects and concerns and then change up your statement to a positive affirmation that will help you release the disease or issue.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
These two similar modalities can be very useful for clearing stuck energies and getting the body working as it should. Acupuncture involves using thin needles inserted into the skin at various meridians and points to ease any stagnation, while acupressure utilizes a small tool or your fingers to apply pressure to the area.
Massage
A good massage can be an effective technique to soothe your spirits and sore muscles. Massage is also a great way to get the lymph system moving. Lymph is the fluid throughout the body responsible for transporting and eliminating toxins.
A few alternatives to a regular massage that you can do at home are dry brushing or gua sha. Using either a dry bristle brush or a small stone tool, you apply gentle pressure in long strokes and work over your skin towards your heart to get the lymph system moving.
Body Movement
Moving your body is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to focus on traditional exercise or aerobic activity to get the benefits. When you move your body you release endorphins and free your mind from stagnating thoughts.
Choose any activity that you enjoy. Dance is a great expression of self and a way to release pent-up emotions. Yoga and Qigong are excellent practices that involve a breathing and mindful moving technique to provide stress relief as well as physical strengthening.
There are so many different healing therapies available and you can find one that works for you if you start to look around and do your research. You may soon find the exact tool or technique that heals both your body and mind and helps you feel like yourself again.
