Those practices that fall into the manipulative and body-based methods deal primarily with structures of the body that include bones, joints and soft tissues as well as the circulatory system and the lymphatic systems.
One type of alternative medicine is manipulative and body-based practices. The methods and treatments that fall under this category are Alexander technique, Bowen technique, Feldenkrais method, chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy, reflexology, rolfing, Trager bodywork, and Tui Na.
Those practices that fall into the manipulative and body-based methods deal primarily with structures of the body that include bones, joints and soft tissues as well as the circulatory system and the lymphatic systems. Practitioners include those who practice chiropractor, osteopathic manipulations, massage therapists and craniosacral therapists. Although all of these practices differ from each others they do have some common characteristics such as the idea that the human body is self-regulating and has the ability to heal itself and that all the parts of the human body are interdependent of each other. All of these practices also feel that what they do needs to be tailored to the individual patient.
A chiropractor is someone who restores normal condition to the body by adjusting the segments of the spinal column, is trained in the science, art and philosophy of adjusting the human body and is someone who is a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) who is capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of physical conditions including muscular, nervous, and skeletal issues but especially of the neck and spine.
Osteopathic medicine focuses on the total person and that there is an interrelationship between the body, good health and the ability to prevent illnesses and at the moment osteopathic medicine is the fastest growing medical field in the U.S. They use manipulation to treat various musculoskeletal disorders including low back pain, neck pain, injuries caused by playing sports, repetitive stress injuries, and headaches.
Massage therapy has the goal of improving the physical health as well as to relax and rejuvenate massage clients. There are over 80 different types of massages including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, acupressure, reflexology, sports massage, and neuromuscular massage. The purpose of massage therapy is to use friction massage to treat painful ailments, decompress tired or overworked muscles, to reduce stress, to rehabilitate sports injuries, and to promote good health by manipulating soft tissue muscles and to improve circulation and also to help remove waste products from muscles.
CranioSacral Therapy uses a gentle touch to alleviate a range of neurological disorders, motor or sensory disorders. It enhances the body’s natural healing and can be effective for a wide range of medical issues that involve pain or loss of function in joints. CranioSacral therapy can be used alone or as a complementary technique with other methods or conventional medicine.
The manipulative and body-based practices are typically less expensive than conventional medicine and are generally considered to be more natural and non-invasive.
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