1. CHAPTER 5: COMPLEMENTARY
HEALTH PRACTICES
Molly Sneesby

2. COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH PRACTICES
 “Health is not merely the absence of disease but a state
of well-being in which the body, mind, and spirit are
balanced” (page 67).
 Sickness and how we treat it affect our entire bodies, not
just one specific part.
 Human energy flow can be affected by disease or
treatment.
 Every one can heal themselves. Our bodies have an
amazing ability to heal.
 We may choose complementary health practices
because they encourage self-care and prevention rather
than just treatment. They may be safer, more effective or
less expensive.
 Can be very helpful when combined with conventional
practices.

3. HERBAL MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE
 Herbal medicine has  Acupuncture and spinal
been used for centuries adjustment are useful
in many cultures. for post-operative
 It is expensive, has nausea, morning
inconsistent quality and sickness and recurrent
is not standardized. headaches.
 FDA put guidelines in  Every day habits,
place but they are trauma, strain and
voluntary. tension can cause
misalignment.
 Common medicines:
St. John’s Wort, Gingko
and garlic.

4. MEDITATION
Meditation is the intentional
paying of attention from
moment to moment.
 Yoga and T’ai Chi are
popular forms of
meditation.
 Yoga involves poses and
breathing exercises.
 T’ai Chi involves moving
meditation that balances a
person’s flow of energy.

5. SPIRITUAL HEALING
 Taking care of our
spiritual well-being differs
from person to person.
 People may go to
churches, synagogues, s
hrines.
 People may attribute
“Spirit” may refer to
nonmaterial beings, a
healing to a non-physical
person’s entity, a group, or an
soul, emotions, or a individual.
person’s inner core.

6. ENERGY HEALING AND HOMEOPATHY
Energy healing refers to Homeopathy is medicine
therapeutic touch. that uses
 A practitioner channels plants, minerals, or
energy to help the animals in order to
healing process in stimulate healing.
another person.  A homeopath will ask
 The practitioner moves about your
their hands over the eating, sleeping habits
patient’s body at a and physical and
distance in an effort to emotional state.
affect energy fields.  After a homeopathic
 Reiki and polarity therapy remedy is used
are largely used. symptoms usually
become worse before
they improve.

7. CHOOSING A THERAPY OR PROVIDER
 A person can ask for a
referral from their
health care provider,
friends or family.
 Practitioners should be
willing to listen and
teach you skills to
improve your health.
 If treatment does not
help after a few
months, try something
else.

8. DISCUSSION QUESTION:
Which complementary health practice would you be
most willing to try? Why?