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| Complementary & Alternative Interventions |
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Many people think of the terms ‘alternative’ and ‘complementary’ as the same thing and although the therapies themselves may be exactly the same, the way they are used really determines which term is most appropriate. Complimentary and alternative therapies either complement or are an alternative to conventional treatments such as psychological therapy and antidepressant medication. For example, a person with Major Depression may use massage as an adjunct to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and antidepressant medication. In this case it is termed complementary. If however, a person with fairly mild depression uses massage (and probably a range of other self-management approaches) instead of psychological therapy or antidepressants, it is termed alternative. Some of the interventions and therapies listed in this section may be better used as complementary methods rather than alternatives, however, this will depend on the type, cause and severity of the depression symptoms. Always discuss potential treatment methods with your doctor or appropriate healthcare professional before embarking on a new program. Herbal Medicine St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), sometimes referred to as hypericum, is a common herb that is native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. It was introduced to North America and Australia, where it grows as a noxious weed. St John's Wort has a history dating back almost 2000 years. As a traditional medicine in Europe the herb has been used internally as an antispasmodic, sedative and restorative tonic. It has been used to treat menopausal problems, intestinal inflammation, insomnia, excitability, and bed-wetting in children.
SAM-e (pronounced 'Sammy') is the commonly used name for S-Adenosyl-Methionine, an amino acid (protein). SAM-e occurs in every living cell and takes part in several biological reactions in the human body. It has been found to be effective for some forms of depression and arthritis.
Kinesiology means ‘the study of movement’. The term is also used by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners to describe a form of therapy that uses muscle monitoring (biofeedback) to look at what may be causing ‘imbalances’ in the body. The kinesiology approach examines unresolved stress reactions in a person and provides techniques to assist the body’s natural healing process. Massage is perhaps one of the oldest healing traditions. Many cultures - including the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Indians - were convinced of the therapeutic properties of massage and used it to treat a variety of ailments. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is packed with nerve endings. Massage works by soothing soft tissue and encouraging relaxation. Massage is especially effective in treating ‘vicious cycle’ complaints. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 July 2008 ) |
