Several individuals throughout history have been using different methods to prevent and control certain diseases. Additionally, these mechanisms were applied in the prevention of illness. Societies have become larger, complex, as well as culturally diverse. The growth of cultures has necessitated the development of therapeutic options that have resulted in healthcare pluralism. In most countries, formal healthcare and sub-cultural practices exist. The subcultures have different cultural as well as social aspects (Mitchell & Haroun, 2012). The health care sub-cultures that are considered indigenous to a given society are regarded as traditional medicine (TM). The development of the communities has led to the introduction of health care practices identified with a particular society or culture. These methods are known as non-traditional medicine or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This paper is set to examine different popular non-traditional healthcare.
The popularity of non-traditional medicine has been on the rise. However, the believers of conventional medicine have been reluctant to accept it as a complementary or alternative treatment option (Phelps & Hassed, 2012). The tension between the two systems has been rising. Most conventional practitioners believe that non-traditional medical practices are ideas without any scientific backgrounds. The field of non-traditional medicine has several practices. The practices have certain philosophies in common. These methods include an emphasis on holism, continuous focus on positive health, focus on the vital forces, as well as spirituality. Some of these practices include yoga, Ayurveda, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and meditation.
Yoga Practices
Yoga refers to a treatment that involves the mind and body (Haas, 2015). Through the body, mind, and breath, the whole body often gets the required balance for a healthy being (Haas, 2015). The practice has been prevalent in various parts of the world. It originated from the ancient India. It is believed the practice was first used for medical services in Vedic Indian cultures. The practice has been predominantly used in the alleviation of physical and mental ailments. The primary factor for the increasing popularity of yoga has been its emphasis on the spiritual connection that exists between the body and mind. The practice has been continuously applied to the Indian culture as part of non-traditional medicine.
The practice is believed to lead to total transformation involving the emotional, physical, as well as mental wellbeing. It enables an individual to have a complete understanding of the body, mind, as well as the soul. Through yoga, it is possible to lose weight, gain flexibility, and strength. It promotes physical, spiritual, mental, and psychological health (Kaminoff, Matthews, Ellis, & Matthews, 2012). The practice has a potential of improving the immune and cardiovascular systems, quality, as well as the length of sleep. Yoga also reduces depression, blood pressure, anxiety, and stress. Most practitioners report that yoga assists in the strengthening of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm. Other advantages of yoga include an increase in the level of melatonin, spiritual connection to God, as well as healthy expression of negative feelings.
Yoga is an exercise that enables the practitioners to reduce weight. Reduction in weight is essential in improving health (Kaminoff, Matthews, Ellis, & Matthews, 2012). Additionally, it assists in the prevention of diseases associated with above average weight. The strengthening of the cardiac muscles enables individuals to prevent certain non-communicable diseases such as cardiac arrest. Therefore, yoga has several benefits that are essential for the development of a healthy body, mind, as well as soul.
The Ayurveda
The practice is believed to have originated from the Indian Lord of creation known as Bharma. Several individuals have practiced it in various parts of the globe. In the United Kingdom, ayurvedic treatment has gained popularity. There is an association for the Ayurvedic practitioners (Haas, 2015). The association has been on the forefront of ensuring proper ayurvedic treatment is practiced in the United Kingdom. Ayurvedic treatment stresses the importance of understanding the soul, mind, as well as the body. The knowledge is critical for the identification of a particular disease. Ayurvedic medicine has eight major branches. These branches are regarded as specialities under Ayurvedic medicine. The most common ayurvedic treatment is kayachikitsa. It has several diseases that range from cancer to arthritis.
It is believed that ayurvedic medicine can be used in the treatment of cancer. In Ayurveda, cancer is regarded as an inflammatory swelling known as Arbuda or Granthi. According to Ayurveda, the nervous system, venous system, and the arterial system are the most important elements in the treatment of cancer as well as the normal body functioning (Haas, 2015). In cancerous cells, the three essential elements often get out of control. When coordination between the components is lost, tissue damage occurs, which leads to cancer. The therapeutic role of Ayurveda is to maintain health, restore normal functioning of the body, cure disease, as well as give a spiritual aspect of the Ayurveda to the disease.
Massage Therapy in the United States
In most cultures worldwide, massage has been practiced as a form of non-traditional medical practice. In the contemporary world, the practice is used in the alleviation of certain health-related conditions (American Massage Therapy Association, 2016). It is believed that massage originated from the ancient China, India, as well as Japan. Massage, as a treatment option is popular in the United States. It increases the range of motion leading to improvement in physical as well as mental health. Additionally, it helps individuals to overcome anxiety and fatigue. The practices are often used in the management of workplace or occupational diseases.
Comparison of the Treatment Options
Ayurveda and yoga are almost similar since they originated from the same region. Additionally, the two types of treatments believe in the power of the mind, body, as well as soul. Besides, both Ayurveda and Yoga utilize certain cleansing methods for purification of the body (Haas, 2015). These methods allow the removal of toxins from the mind and body. Apart from the similarities, the treatment options have certain differences. The main difference between Ayurvedic medicine and yoga is that the latter is believed to harmonize the functions of the body while the former heals any infection that inflicts the body.
In most cases, massage therapy has little to no effect on the soul as well as the mind. It deals with the physical aspects of health. Massage has enormous effects on the muscles and the bones leading to improvement in flexibility (Phelps & Hassed, 2012). On the other hand, both the Ayurveda and yoga attempt to harness the power of the soul and mind. Ayurveda, massage, and yoga are essential in the treatment of particular illnesses that do not require conventional medicine. These practices can be used as either complimentary or alternative options for conventional therapies.
Common Non-traditional Medical Practice
The most common non-traditional medical practice in the United States is the massage therapy. The cost of massage therapy in 2015 was approximately twelve billion U.S dollars (American Massage Therapy Association, 2016). Besides, the number of individuals who received massage between 2014 and 2015 was thirty-nine million. This value translates to eighteen percent of the United States population. The costs are estimated to increase at an annual rate of 3.6% per year (American Massage Therapy Association, 2016). Most individuals turn to non-traditional medicine due to the low amount of chemicals that it introduces into their system. Besides, most of the non-traditional medical practices have a connection to the spiritual well-being of the affected individuals. In such a case, an individual feels closer to their creator.
Non-traditional medicine has been on the rise worldwide. It has led to the improvement in health care since it acts as a complementary or alternative treatment option. It is essential to understand the different kinds of non-traditional medicine. The knowledge is crucial to the physicians as well as the non-traditional health workers. Therefore, the increasing popularity of the treatment options is a blessing to conventional medicine.
References
American Massage Therapy Association. (2016, February). Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/economic_industry-fact-sheet.html
Haas, D. (2015). Health and Consciousness Through Ayurvedic Cooking. London: MA Center.
Kaminoff, L., Matthews, A., Ellis, S., & Matthews, A. (2012). Yoga anatomy. Champaign: IL: Human Kinetics.
Mitchell, D., & Haroun, L. (2012). Introduction to health care. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Phelps, K., & Hassed, C. (2012). Integrative Medicine: General Practice: The Integrative Approach Series. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.
