Acupressure
Oriental healing system using the application of fingertip pressure on specific tension spots on the body to reduce stress and pain and to treat specific symptoms or disorders.
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Acupuncture
Ancient Oriental healing therapy which stimulates or disperses the flow of subtle energy or chi within the body by inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin, by massage, by thermal therapy or by a combination of all three. Each point is located along a meridian and is associated with specific organs. Every acupuncture point is considered to have a particular therapeutic effect.
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Adaptogen Agents
Usually from plants such as ginseng, which help or adapt the body or protect it from stress.
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Alexander Technique
F. Matthias Alexander created the method after concluding that bad posture was responsible for his own chronic voice loss. Practitioners use gentle hands-on guidance, verbal instruction, teach simple, efficient ways of moving as a means of improving balance, posture, coordination and to relieve tension and pain.
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Allopathy
A system of medical treatment using remedies that produce effects upon the body differing from those produced by disease; now generally applied to refer to standards or orthodox medical practice.
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Alternative Medicine
Almost any form of therapy, which is outside the preview of conventional modern medicine. Examples include homeopathy, chiropractic, and naturopathy.
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Amma Therapy
A system of bodywork therapy that uses traditional oriental medical principles for assessing and evaluating imbalances in the energetic system. It aims to restore, promote and maintain optimum health through the treatment of the physical body, bio-energy and emotions.
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Aroma Therapy
The use of various aromatic herbs, volatile oils and similar preparations from plants, flowers, trees and herbs to achieve health, vitality and rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit.
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Aura Balancing
A healing technique that allows healing energy to normalize restricted cells. The healer detects energy blocks in the luminous electromagnetic force field called the aura that surrounds the human body and then balances or normalizes it by passing his or her hands over the congested area a few inches from the body.
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Ayurveda/Aryuvedic Medicine
Ancient Indian medical-metaphysical healing life science based on the harmony of body, mind and universe. It emphasizes the capability of the individual for self-healing using natural remedies to restore balance. Therapy consists of maintaining a balance between diet, daily routine and activities.
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Baubiologie
The study of the impact of building environment upon health and the application of this knowledge to the construction of healthy homes and workplaces; the science of holistic interactions between life and living environment.
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Bioenergetics
A body-mind therapy created by Dr. Alexander Lowen, which uses the body to heal the mind. The simultaneous duality and unity of the human personality is its underlying principle. The technique includes direct bodywork to release unresolved emotional blocks stored in muscle groups.
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Biofeedback
A scientific technique to tune into and consciously control bodily functions by hooking up to a monitoring device that reads certain physiological responses and feeds information back to the user.
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Biofield
An energy field that suffuses living bodies and extends several inches beyond the body. This concept is employed in therapies such as healing touch, medical qigong, therapeutic touch, and reiki, to treat an illness or to promote health. There is no consensus on what a biofield is; some say it is spiritual energy, others say it is an electromagnetic field.
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Biorhythms
The cyclical patterns of change in the body's physical, emotional and intellectual energy based on date of birth. Used to determine the immutable patterns of a person's critical days and periods of high and low energy.
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Body-Mind Centering
A movement-reeducation approach that explores how the body's systems contribute to movement and self-awareness. The approach also emphasizes movement patterns that develop during infancy and childhood. Incorporates guided movement, exercise, imagery and hands-on work.
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Body-Mind Rhythmic Movement
Created by Susan Kramer. Elementary academic instruction using rhythmic movement patterning as a way to develop and reinforce the body-mind connection.
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Breathing
Precisely defined breathing technique to cleanse, clear and heal the body, mind and spirit; its purpose is to relive the moment of your first breath and release the trauma associated with it.
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Breathwork
A general term for a variety of techniques that use patterned breathing to promote physical, mental and/or spiritual well-being. Some techniques use the breath in a calm, peaceful way to induce relaxation or manage pain, while others use stronger breathing to stimulate emotions and emotional release. Chakras?The seven vital energy centers of the body. The chakras extend from the base of spine to the crown of head. Each chakra corresponds to certain colors, emotions, organs, nerve networks, and energies.
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Chakra Balancing
Healing techniques which are intended to clear the blockages restricting the flow of energy in the chakras or psychic energy centers in the etheric body located in various points that range from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
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Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy is a series of intravenous injections of the synthetic amino acid EDTA, designed to detoxify the body. Often used to treat arteriosclerosis, angina, Alzheimer's disease. Proponents say that chelation also reverses gangrene, relieves the pain associated with lupus and arthritis, and reverses memory loss
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Chinese Tuina Therapy
A massage therapy using fingers and fists on meridian lines, manipulating muscles to release tension and loosen congested areas allowing natural healing to occur.
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Chiropractic
A system of therapies based upon the theory that disease is caused by abnormal function of the nervous system. It attempts to restore normal function by manipulation and treatment of the structures of the body, especially those of the spinal column.
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Colonic Irrigation Therapy
The flushing of the intestines with a series of inflows and outflows of purified water into the colon for cleansing and corrective purposes.
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Color Therapy
A natural healing technique using the scientific application of the correct color vibrations to the body, often as white light projected through films of various colors.
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Complementary Medicine
This term often is used synonymously with alternative medicine. However, this name suggests that the procedures compliment those, which are considered to be conventional.
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Cranial-Sacral Therapy
An offshoot of traditional osteopathic medicine. This work is a diagnostic and healing tool, which deals with a very subtle rhythm in the body. Traditionally used for head and tailbone dysfunction, it works well for chronic headaches, whiplash injury, facial or cranial trauma and other sensory, motor and/or intellectual dysfunction.
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Creative Visualization/Guided Imagery
The use of mental energy to create positive thoughts to manifest life changes; a process by which a facilitator suggests the types of pictures to imagine in the mind as a technique to create thought forms for a desired end result which will later manifest in the physical world.
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Crystal Healing
The therapeutic application of crystals and gemstones for healing the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies.
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Diathermy
Deep-heat therapy that uses high-frequency electric currents to produce heat in body tissues. Physical therapists and sports physicians use diathermy to treat arthritis, bursitis, and fractures. It also may help treat gynecological diseases and sinusitis.
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Dream Therapy
Mental activity associated with the rapid-eye-movement period of sleep. Generally consists of visual images and may reflect bodily disturbances or external stimuli.
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Ear Candling
Also called Ear Coning. Involves placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear canal, while the opposite end is lit. Primarily used for relieving wax build up and related hearing problems, ear candling is also used for ear infections and sinus infections.
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Energy Field Work
Practitioners look for weaknesses in the energy field in and around the client's body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance. Energy channeled through the practitioner is directed to strengthen the body's natural defenses and help the client's physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual state.
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Energy Healing/Balancing
Healing technique, which involves working in the body's energy field to promote mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual healing.
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Enzyme Therapy
A form of therapy that employs supplements of plant and animal enzymes to improve digestive function and other conditions. Enzyme therapy advocates supplementation to reduce the work that the body has to do, and because plant enzymes are destroyed in cooking. Since enzymes can't be synthetically manufactured, supplements are derived from plants or from animal tissues.
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Feng Shui
Is the art of healthful arrangement of rooms, furniture and buildings to effect spiritual, psychological and physical well-being. Feng shui consultants may advise clients to make adjustments in their surroundings, from color selection to furniture placement, to promote a healthy flow of chi, or vital energy.
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Floatation Tank
A sensory deprivation tank containing skin-temperature water and Epsom salts, in which a person is immersed for relaxation and rehabilitation, often in conjunction with neuromuscular therapy.
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Flower Essences
A modality that uses extracts from flowering plants in homeopathic proportions as catalysts for healing. They are intended to alleviate negative emotional states that may contribute to illness or hinder personal growth. Each liquid potentized preparation carries the imprint of a specific plant, which speaks a subtle language that works on the root causes of disease. The appropriate essences are chosen, focusing on the client's emotional state rather than on a particular physical condition. Originated by Dr. Edward Bach.
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Gestalt Therapy
Humanistic therapy originated by Fritz Perls that centers on the reality of what is and each individual being responsible for his/her own actions; includes the interrelatedness of the object and the perceiver.
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Glandulars
Freeze-dried animal glands, processed into pill form and taken to provide the body an extra dose of a hormone. Typically made from cow, sheep, or pig glands, glandulars on the market include adrenal, testicular, ovary, pancreas, pituitary, prostate, and thymus products. Critics point out that these supplements are unlikely to boost gland function because digestion breaks down and inactivates the DNA in a glandular. In addition, using glandulars may encourage your own glands to reduce hormone production. Other risks include bacterial contamination of the product, and the antibiotics and pesticides present in the glands of the livestock they are taken from.
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Healing Touch
Is used to accelerate wound healing, relieve pain, promote relaxation, prevent illness and ease the dying process. The practitioner uses light touch or works with his or her hands near the client's body in an effort to restore balance to the client's energy system.
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Health Foods
Foods produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides sprays and sold without the addition of chemical additives (preservatives, filters, article flavoring or coloring agents). Many are claimed to be natural (ire, not containing added chemicals) and purported to be healthier than the usual foods.
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Hellerwork
A system of somatic education and structural bodywork, which is based on the inseparability of body, mind & spirit, making the connection between movement, body alignment and personal awareness.
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Herbologist/Herbalist
A healer who understands the medicinal value of plants and prepares herbal formulas to strengthen the natural functions of the body so that it may heal itself.
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Herbs
Plants used for their medicinal, flavor, order or nutritive principles. Herbalism: Uses natural plants or plant-based substances to treat a range of illnesses and to enhance the functioning of the body's systems. Though herbalism is not a licensed professional modality in the U.S., a range of practitioners prescribes herbs, from holistic M.D.'s to acupuncturists to naturopaths.
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HIV Therapies
Practitioners offer a range of therapies that aim to treat the human immuno-deficiency virus, AIDS, or its' symptoms. Due to the life-threatening nature of this disease, these therapies are often used as complements to conventional approaches to HIV.
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Holistic Healing
A type of healing that treats the whole person and acknowledges the interrelatedness of the body, mind and spirit in the total health of a person.
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Holistic Medicine
Therapies that treat the whole person-mind and body-as opposed to just the part of the body where symptoms occur.
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Holotropic Breathwork
A non-drug technique of self-exploration and healing using controlled breathing, evocative music, focused body work and mandala drawing to access all levels of human experience. Created by Stanislov and Christina Grof.
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Homeopathy
A school of medicine based on the theory of ""like cures like."" Minute quantities of natural substance stimulate the body's own self-healing ability. If taken in larger doses, they would produce side effects similar to those of the disease being treated.
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Homeovitics
A contemporary approach to homeopathy. It uses complex, pluralistic formulations in treating chronic disease associated with toxicities by cleaning, detoxification and support. Homeostasis --- The maintenance of steady states (well or healthy states) in the organism by coordinated physiological processes.
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Hoshino Therapy
A unique system of acupressure therapy for early detection and treatment of biomechanical pain and dysfunction.
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Humanistic Psychology
The school of psychology originated by Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and others, that emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual self and the integration of the whole person: feelings, intellect, physical and spiritual.
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Huna
Ancient Hawaiian religious system of goal attainment and spiritual growth based on a knowledge of three levels of consciousness and the use of ""mana,"" the vital force that heals and energizes.
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Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy
A state of mind in which one's focus of attention is narrow and a higher level of awareness of the focal point is attained than is normal when one is awake. The power of conscious criticism is suppressed and suggestions move directly into the unconscious mind. Suggestions are acted upon more powerfully than is possible in the normal waking state.
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Iridology
A science involving the study of the iris of the eye as a diagnostic tool to reveal health or disorders in the human body. It is based on the premise that the nerves, muscle fibers and blood vessels in the iris are connected to corresponding locations in the body.
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Jin Shin Do
Developed by a psychotherapist, it combines acupressure, Taoist yogic breathing and Reichian segmental theory (addresses how emotional tension affects the physical body) with the goal of releasing physical & emotional tension and armoring. Aims to promote a state in which the patient can address the emotional factors that underlie various physical conditions.
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Kinesiology
Knowledge of techniques for obtaining and using information from the position, movement, and tension of parts of the body, especially from the nerves, muscles, tendons, and joints. For example, diagnosis of physical ailments may be obtained from the subconscious level by naming the ailment, asking the subject to tense an arm and noting whether the tension is maintained or released when the arm is depressed.
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Kirlian Photography
A photographic process using a high voltage, low amperage field of 50,000 bolts or more. Invented by Semyon and Valentina Kirlian. It picks up radiation around objects and humans, which is not visible to the eye. Often used to photograph the energy field that surrounds the human body.
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Luscher Color Test
A test developed by Dr. Max Luscher that indicates personality type on the basis of the subject's preference for eight color choices.
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Macrobiotics
Literally, the Great Life. A healthful way to live according to the natural order of the universe. This philosophy which advocates a diet in which Yin and Yang foods are balanced to overcome disease and keep in good health. The application of this order to daily life is through a diet which affects the whole person and which is based primarily on whole grains, vegetables, beans and sea vegetables, with moderate amounts of fish, seeds and nuts.
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Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic field therapy or bio-magnetic therapy involves the use of magnets, magnetic devices or magnetic fields to treat a variety of physical and emotional conditions, including circulatory problems, certain forms of arthritis, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and stress.
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Massage Therapy
This is a general term for a range of therapeutic approaches with roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. Involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person's muscles and soft tissue.
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Meditation
A technique of mind control that leads to inner feelings of calm and peacefulness and may result in experiences of transcendental awareness and self-realization. The two main types of meditation are: (1) the focusing type, similar to self-hypnosis, in which the meditator focuses on a repetitive sound or chant, an image, or pattern of breathing; (2) the ""opening-up"" type which emphasizes the detached observation of mental events as they occur.
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Midwifery
Midwives provide education and support during pregnancy, assist the mother during labor and delivery and provide follow-up care. Practitioners of childbirth support include childbirth educators, childbirth assistants and women labor coaches who also provide post-partum home care.
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Mind-Body Connection
Currently taken to refer to psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), the study of the connections between the brain, endocrine and immune neural pathway connections.
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Myofascial Release
Trauma, posture, or inflammation can create a binding down of fascia resulting in excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, osseous structures and/or organs. This hands-on technique seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function and reducing pain. Therapists apply mild, sustained hand-pressure in order to gently stretch and soften fascia. Treatment is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries, and scoliosis, and other conditions.
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Natural Hygiene
A way of life that maintains that perfect health is an optimum state of body function, not the absence of disease. It maintains that healing is a biological process of the body, not something done to individuals and that by eating only raw, unprocessed foods as found in nature will they achieve the highest state of well-being.
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Naturopathy
A healing system acknowledging the body's natural healing power. Fosters health through education and the use of natural substances such as herbs, foods, air and sunshine. No drugs or surgery are used.
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Neural Therapy
A form of therapy based on the idea that illness is the result of disruptions in biological energy and that the disruptions are caused by changes in the electric activity of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like breathing.
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Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
A system of analyzing and describing both verbal and nonverbal human behaviors in order to produce changes in behavior such as curing phobias, helping children with learning disabilities, and eliminating unwanted habits such as smoking, drinking and overeating.
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Neuromuscular Therapy
A form of deep massage using pressure to certain trigger points on the body to release emotions and relieve pain by breaking the stress-tension-pain cycle.
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Neurotopic
Injection?Treatment involves dozens of injections of small amounts (0.5 cc or less) of sterile saline solution (0.9 percent salt) into the muscles at both sides of the spine near the places where the nerves enter into the back muscles. According to this theory, salt injection helps the nerves function better, leading to improved circulation, control of pain, and healing of numerous disorders such as sciatica, disk problems, headaches, arthritis, prostate and thyroid problems, asthma, and allergies.
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Nosode
A homeopathic remedy made from diseased tissue or bodily secretions rather than from a plant or animal. Taken like a homeopathic immunization to build up an immune response against a specific disease. Nosodes are often named for the disease present in the material they were made from - for example, the flu nosode and the infectious mononucleosis nosode.
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Nutraceutical
The term used by some to promote health and healing through the use of foods.
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Orthomolecular Medicine
A form of nutrient therapy that uses combinations of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids normally found in the body to maintain good health and to treat specific conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, depression, and schizophrenia. ""Orthomolecular"" means an approach based on a correct (ortho) balance of substances present in the body.
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Osteopathy
A school of healing, which teaches that the body is a vital mechanical organism whose structural and functional integrity are coordinated and interdependent, the abnormality of either constituting disease. It uses manipulation, but also medicine, surgery and other specialties.
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Pet Therapy
A therapeutic approach based on the idea that expressing affection for a pet helps people feel happier, maintain a positive outlook, and therefore improve their health. According to several studies, having a pet can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and ward off loneliness and depression. Many nursing homes and some prisons have developed pet therapy programs, with excellent results.
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Physics, New
Current form of physics, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and inseparability of everything in the universe on a progressive scale from microcosm to macrocosm. A fundamental tenet is that the action of the observer affects that which is observed. At the quantum level, the new physics contends that objective reality may not exist and that it is meaningless to view things or objects as having any reality above and beyond the mind of the observer.
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Polarity Therapy
Asserts that balancing the flow of energy in the body is the foundation of health. Specific points along the currents are said to hold positive or negative energies. Practitioners use gentle touch and guidance in diet, exercise and self-awareness to help clients balance their energy flow, thus supporting a return to health.
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Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
The newly emerging field of study, which focuses on the series of neural pathways, which interconnect the brain, endocrine and immune systems. These pathways are felt to constitute a communication network between the mind and body, which enables them to influence each other.
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Psychosynthesis
A developmental psychological and educational process formulated by Roberto Assagioli. Its goals are the integration of personality and awareness of the Self.
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Rapid Eye Technology
A holistic eclectic healing process based on the blinking, moving, and perception of the eyes to facilitate mental, emotional, and physical change. RET is based on the inspiration and work of author and healer, Ranae Johnson.
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Reflexology
Based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the body. With fingers and thumbs, the practitioner applies pressure to these points to treat a wide range of stress-related illnesses and ailments.
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Reiki
Practitioners of this ancient Tibetan healing system use light hand placements to transmit healing energies to the recipient. While the practitioners may vary widely in technique and philosophy, Reiki is commonly used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, as well as to assist the recipient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity.
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Ro-Hun Therapy
An energy-based, spiritually oriented psychotherapy that aims to relieve negative thinking patterns and traumas stored in one's energy field and replace them with more effective means of living.
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Rolfing
A technique that uses deep manipulation of the fascia to restore the body's natural alignment, which may have become rigid through injury, emotional trauma, and inefficient movement habits. The process, developed by biochemist Ida P. Rolf, involves ten sessions, each focusing on a different part of the body.
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Rubenfeld Synergy Method
Gentle touch, movement, verbal exchange, and imagination is used to access memories and emotions locked in the body. Integrates elements of the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, Gestalt and Hypnotherapy. Combines bodywork and psychotherapy. May be used for physical or emotional problems or for personal growth.
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Shiatsu Therapy
A Japanese term for finger pressure or manual message and pressure to stimulate and free energy pathways within the body. Helps relieve pain and tension and restore balance.
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Sound Therapy/Toning
The use of a combination of tones and rhythmic sounds to alter a person's vibrations to bring harmony, accelerate healing and increase psychic skills.
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Sounding The Body
A diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in sound healing. Sound healers read a patient's body by singing a series of tones and listening for imbalances in the natural frequencies of the body or its' energy fields. Imbalances are said to be indicated by changes in the tone of the healer's voice. To correct a problem, the sound healer applies sound to the patient's body by singing certain tones near the affected organ, or by applying tuning forks or electronic vibratory instruments to the body.
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Spiritual Counselor/Consultant
A practitioner who uses one or more spiritual and/or psychological techniques in order to achieve holistic healing.
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Spiritual Healing
Healing by the power of a spiritual energy, operating through the body of the medium or practitioner.
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Structural Integration
The physical aspects of this therapy consist of manipulating the soft tissues of the body (fascia, muscles, and proprioceptors) to produce more appropriate links, elasticity and balance, resulting in increased vitality, improved posture, improved metabolic function and freer movement.
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Tai Chi Chuan
Traditional Chinese nonaggressive martial art based on awareness and yielding which is practiced in slow motion; a meditation technique for grounding and centering, that is based on Taoist philosophy.
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TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
The delivery of an electric current through the skin to the nerves. Used in physical therapy and to relieve painful conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, and arthritis. The low voltage electric current blocks the nerves reception of pain signals and possibly stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's pain-killing chemicals.
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Therapeutic Massage/Touch
A healing technique, which combines traditional laying of the hands with certain Eastern theories of energy flow. It is based on the concept of unblocking ""fields of energy"" in the body to relieve pain and disease.
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TMJ Therapy
Correction of malfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) located in front of the ears at the jaw joint which is sometimes aggravated by dental work. May involve ligaments, muscles or the bone itself.
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Toning
A form of sound healing, where the projection of a nonverbal sound is used to balance the body's energy fields.
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Traditional Medicine
A term generally used to describe the native therapies of a certain region (e.g., the traditional medicine of China) or the medical traditions of a particular culture.
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Trager Body Work
Movement-education approach that gently rocks, cradles, and moves the client's body. Meant to promote relaxation, increase mobility and mental clarity. Used by athletes for performance enhancement and by people with musculoskeletal and back problems.
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Transactional Analysis
Process to diagnose the ego states where verbal exchanges originate, as well as techniques to use this information to improve communication. Usually involves helping the client get in touch with internal parent/adult/child transactions that affect human behavior.
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Transformational Counseling/Therapy
Counseling techniques associated with transpersonal psychology that are aimed at promoting self-realization at the personal level and planetary brotherhood and consciousness at the global level.
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Transpersonal Psychology/Counseling
That school of psychology that aims at integrating Western science and Eastern thought by moving beyond Humanistic Psychology and its focus on the self or ego. Its orientation is a holistic one that focuses on the integration of mind, body and spirit and has ultimate psychological growth and well-being as its goals.
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Vibrational Healing
Promotes healing by balancing the body's energy field. Can include acupuncture, homeopathy, flower essences, sound & color healing, crystals, gems, aromatherapy, and energy-based bodywork.
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Wellness
The concept of practicing all the things, which keep one well. It involves maintaining good nutrition, exercise, stress-control and good personal and familial social relationships.
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Wet Rebirthing
Guided by a rebirthing therapist, participants relive their birth trauma in a water environment in order to work out negativity concerning the birth process.
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Zero Balancing Method
Aligning body structure and body energy. Through touch akin to acupressure, practitioner seeks to overcome imbalances in the body's structure/energetic interface, which is said to exist beneath the level of conscious awareness. Zero Balancing is often used for stress reduction.
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