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Bringing Balance Into Your Life With Complementary Therapies
By Gaye Mack, MA
If you born before 1929, granny's remedies would have certainly come to the rescue in times of illness. However, since 1929 and the discovery of penicillin, the world of antibiotics and Western medicine in general, has exploded to the point where sometimes the body is not only fighting the illness, but is also fighting the cure. There is no doubt that Western medicine is brilliant and much needed, especially in times of crisis and trauma as we are currently witnessing every day in the media. Nevertheless, in spite of this brilliance, one of the sacrifices we have made in the evolution of medicine is our abdication of personal responsibility for our own health and spiritual growth. All of which comes down to a question of balance.
When complementary therapies began to make a comeback in this country in the early 1970s, they were often touted as 'alternative', implying an 'either/or' choice to be made and something that only those on the 'fringe' subscribed to.
While some hard-liners continue to stand by this implication, the reality is that those therapies considered 'alternative' are actually complementary. Their role is about bringing us into balance in mind, body, and spirit, and, they are about integrating old world wisdom with new world technology. Whether one is exploring the benefits of the therapies found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Flower Essences or the myriad of other complementary therapies available, they all have the common thread of empowering the individual to participate in their own healing process and establishing a reconnection between mind, body and spirit.
There are several common questions that are often asked when one is considering these therapies, but the three that arise the most frequently are, when should I consider these therapies, which therapies should I chose and how do I find a practitioner? Typically, complementary therapies can be extremely effective when one continues to struggle with chronic conditions such as fatigue, allergies, and sometimes depression, just to name a few examples. Often, the individual has been 'everywhere' in search of relief, but nothing seems to be working. It is especially in these situations that complementary therapies can set the individual onto a new path of relief and wholeness.
Moreover, it is important to understand that therapies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda are 'complete systems of medicine'. Other therapies such as energetic bodywork, flower essences, and homeopathy for example, can be called upon as adjunct therapies. Nevertheless, the majority of complementary therapies seek to treat the symptoms and to discover the root of the problem, while Western medicine frequently just targets symptoms. Once the immediate problem is resolved, the philosophy behind these therapies becomes part of an overall change in lifestyle, often incorporating exercise, stress reduction techniques, and changes in diet. Another advantage of complementary therapies is that one can incorporate individual elements from various therapies into an overall healing model. For example, you may be under the care of a practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and while Yoga is not part of the Chinese tradition, there is no reason that you cannot incorporate it into your overall model.
This brings us to how does one choose a therapy (or therapies) to work with and very importantly, how do you choose a practitioner? These considerations are very much about what is working for you and what feels 'right'. Let us suppose that you have done some initial reading on the Ayurvedic approach to wellness. The philosophy appeals to you and thus, the next step is to find a practitioner. One of the best ways to do this is by referral and checking credentials. Knowing someone whom you trust and can refer you to a practitioner is an excellent place to start. However, it is equally important that you thoroughly investigate the practitioner's background and credentials. Fortunately, there are resources available for this purpose. Forging a relationship with such a practitioner is serious business. It is a relationship that is much more than a 15- minute appointment and a prescription.
Practitioners in Complementary Medicine are interested in developing this relationship with you, knowing that the road to balance can be a difficult one. This process requires attention to all levels of our essence and our willingness to participate fully in pursuit of this balance.
About the Author
Gaye Mack, MA is the author of the new book, Making Complementary Therapies Work For You available in bookstores and on Amazon.com. For more information go to http://www.naturesbridge.com. She is listed in Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in American Women.
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