If you or a loved one struggles with sleep apnea, you’ve probably heard about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. These devices provide a constant stream of pressurized air through a mask while you sleep. But they’re not your only option.
Addressing Root Causes Through Lifestyle Changes
Many people find relief through lifestyle changes, which actually address some root causes of the condition.
Healthy Weight Maintenance
Obesity is one of the primary contributing factors in sleep apnea–especially excess weight in the upper body. And according to some research, the higher your body mass index (BMI), the worse your symptoms can become. This is because fat deposits around the neck and upper airway narrow the area, making it more likely to collapse during sleep. If you’re overweight, studies suggest that losing just 5-10% of your bodyweight could significantly improve your breathing, minimizing apneas during the night.
Yoga
Yoga is another effective home remedy for sleep apnea, as it strengthens respiratory muscles, increases oxygen flow, and improves lung capacity. One of the key ways yoga helps is through controlled breathing techniques (pranayama), which train the body to take in and use oxygen more efficiently. Studies suggest just 10 to 15 minutes of yoga or breathwork before bed can significantly improve airflow and combat sleep disturbances.
A Humidifier
Dry air can irritate your throat and nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe–especially if you have sleep apnea. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to reduce congestion, prevent airway inflammation, and promote easier breathing at night. Use a warm mist, add a few drops of essential oils, and keep it clean to get the most out of your humidifier.
Not Smoking or Drinking
Studies show smokers are up to twice as likely to develop sleep apnea, and those who drink have a roughly 25% higher chance. Smoking inflames your airway, causing swelling and excess mucus which restrict airflow. Meanwhile, alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, increasing the risk of airway collapse, oxygen deprivation, snoring, and disrupted REM sleep. If you smoke, lean on support systems or your healthcare provider to start reclaiming your health today.
Changing Your Sleeping Position
Research indicates that over 50% of obstructive sleep apnea cases are position-dependent. Avoid sleeping on your back and try sleeping on your side instead to help keep your airways open. Elevating your head slightly can also prevent airway collapse. Experiment with different sleeping positions to find what works best for you.
Unfortunately, there’s no universal cure for sleep apnea. But you can effectively manage it and enjoy a long, healthy life. For many people, lifestyle changes like weight management, breathing exercises, and changing sleep positions can minimize or even reverse symptoms. If natural remedies aren’t enough, talk to your healthcare provider about other medical or surgical treatments. Sleep apnea doesn’t have to take over your life. By making simple yet effective lifestyle changes, you can breathe more easily, sleep better, and improve your overall well-being.
References:
– [1] Relationship Between Hours of CPAP Use and Achieving Normal Levels of Sleepiness and Daily Functioning – PMC
– [2] Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and GRADE Assessment – PMC
– [3] Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches – PMC
– [4] Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
– [5] Interactions Between Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Implications for Treatment – PMC
– [6] Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence – PMC
– [7] Effect of Regular Yoga Practice on Respiratory Regulation and Exercise Performance – PMC
– [8] Breathing retraining in sleep apnoea: a review of approaches and potential mechanisms – PubMed
– [9] Application of Standardised Yoga Protocols as the Basis of Physiotherapy Recommendation in Treatment of Sleep Apneas: Moving Beyond Pranayamas – PMC
– [10] Effect of yoga-based lifestyle and dietary modification in overweight individuals with sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial (ELISA) – PubMed
– [11] Humidification of indoor air for preventing or reducing dryness symptoms or upper respiratory infections in educational settings and at the workplace – PMC
– [12] Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review – PMC
– [13] Pressure modification or humidification for improving usage of continuous positive airway pressure machines in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea – PMC
– [14] The Impact of Alcohol on Breathing Parameters during Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis – PMC
– [15] Where There Is Smoke…There Is Sleep Apnea: Exploring the Relationship Between Smoking and Sleep Apnea – PMC
– [16] Smoking and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Is There An Association between These Cardiometabolic Risk Factors?—Gender Analysis – PMC
– [17] The undervalued potential of positional therapy in position-dependent snoring and obstructive sleep apnea—a review of the literature – PMC
– [18] Effect of Sleeping Position on Upper Airway Patency in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Determined by the Pharyngeal Structure Causing Collapse – PMC
– [19] Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea – PMC
– [20] The influence of head-of-bed elevation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea – PMC
– [21] Sleep Apnea – Treatment | NHLBI, NIH.
The post 5 Natural Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea that Really Work appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more information on holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, including his or her spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. Holistic medicine doesn't focus on curing disease. It focuses on healing.
Holistic medicine is a combination of preventive measures like exercise and nutrition, as well as treatments for chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.
There are many forms of holistic medicine.
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based
The evidence base supporting complementary and alternate medicine is still developing, but there are many factors that people choose to use these therapies. They may have tried conventional treatments but found them ineffective, or they may want to try an alternative therapy because they believe it offers benefits over conventional care. Alternative and complementary medicine may be an option. This is part of a holistic approach. It is vital that patients verify that all complementary and alternative medicines are supported by scientific evidence. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if in doubt about the effectiveness of a particular treatment. It can save you both time and money.
What's the difference between alternative medicine or complementary medicine?
Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn't considered standard by mainstream medical practitioners but which has been shown to have benefits for some conditions. Homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are all examples. Complementary Medicines are treatments that add to the treatment of conventional medicine. They may also be used in combination with it. These include nutritional supplements like vitamins, minerals or herbs, amino acid, enzymes or probiotics.
While both forms of medicine are commonly used, many conventional doctors do not recommend them due to insufficient evidence or safety concerns.
There is no consensus among healthcare providers about the best approach to integrating CAM within patient care.
Many CAM practices are based upon theories that have been around for thousands of years. Clinical trials conducted over the past two decades have shown that some of these treatments might be effective.
A variety of studies have suggested that acupuncture might relieve pain. Similarly, preliminary data show that it may reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Other CAM methods may have therapeutic effects on conditions like HIV/AIDS and diabetes, heart disease or hypertension, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and rheumatoidarthritis.
Even though there are still gaps in our knowledge about the effectiveness of CAM, most experts agree that it can play a role in treating various ailments.
As a result, CAM practitioners are becoming more popular as a way to treat common illnesses.
Despite this popularity, many people still have questions about “alternatives” and “complementary” medicine.
What does holistic mean?
Holistic means whole-based. Holistic refers to looking at the whole picture, not just one part. This can be hard because we are used seeing things as parts.
We tend to think of black and then white. However, grey comes in a wide range of shades.
When working on a project, you should try to view it from multiple angles. Consider it from every side.
Consider how the whole thing fits together. How does each of its components interact with one another?
You should also ask yourself why the problem is occurring. Don't forget about the effects of any change that you make.
What are the 5 domains that make up integrative medicine (IM)?
The five domains of integrative medicine include mind-body, nutrition, social determinants, lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas encompass all aspects related to health care: spiritual, environmental, and physical.
Integrative medicine seeks to address all aspects of health and wellness. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
Statistics
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise of complementary and other medicine: A sociological perspective
- Holistic medicine – PubMed
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal – Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
How To
What are the Pros and Cons of Holistic Medical?
Holistic medicine is a medical practice that emphasizes the importance of mind, body, spirit, environment, and social factors in the healing process. The late 19th-century pioneer of holistic medicine was Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), the author of The Doctor's Book of Mind Cure. He used simple techniques such as meditation, visualization, and hypnosis. This treatment was beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety, depressions, stress, pain, insomnia, or other illnesses. In addition, this kind of therapy helps patients cope with their problems and improve their quality of life.
Although holistic therapies are still practiced today, they have lost popularity because of the lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. However, some studies show that these treatments can help reduce symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, migraine, obesity, osteoporosis, and others.
These are the highlights and pitfalls of holistic medicine:
- Insufficient scientific evidence. Only a few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluate the benefits of holistic therapies. Positive results are found in the majority of observational studies.
- Comparable to traditional medicine, alternative medicines are less expensive. Some alternative medicines are cheaper than traditional ones, especially when the patient follows a natural diet.
- Patients are not under any pressure to adhere to the prescribed protocol.
- Many doctors will recommend complementary treatments, even if they are not prescribed.
- Holistic treatments are often combined with conventional medicine. Acupuncture is often combined with medications or surgery.
- People believe that alternative treatments work better than conventional medicine.
- Alternative medicines are considered more “natural” than conventional drugs.
- Many patients seek out complementary therapies to help them adapt their lifestyles. They want to be healthy but also want to enjoy their lives.
- Patients who practice holistic therapies are healthier.
- Older adults are increasingly turning to holistic treatments.
- Complementary treatments require more research.
- Research has shown that many people would prefer to explore alternative treatment options before visiting a doctor.
- Doctors should understand that not every patient will benefit from alternative treatment.
- Holistic treatments should be part of our culture and education system.
- Holistic treatments might not be for everyone.
- So that patients can make informed decisions, we must be able to communicate with them about the various therapies.
- Holistic treatments aren't only for hippies.
- Certain diseases cannot be treated with holistic treatments.
- Sometimes, holistic treatments can be dangerous.
- For specific conditions, holistic treatments can be helpful.
- Holistic treatments are very effective.
- Holistic treatments use ancient knowledge.
- It is easy to learn holistic treatments.
- It is difficult to learn holistic treatments.
- Holistic treatments are hard to learn.
- Holistic therapies are too expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be quite expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be less expensive than conventional medicines.
- Holistic treatments can be more expensive than conventional medicines.
****
Holistic Medicine – A Short History
Holistic medicine treats the whole person. It is not about treating their symptoms. It covers all aspects of the body, including emotional, mental and spiritual as well as occupational, environmental, cultural and lifestyle influences. Prevention is more important than treatment and it focuses on preventing disease through diet, exercise and relaxation.
Bastyr University, Seattle was the first school to offer holistic medicine. It was founded in 1972. Holistic medicine was born after Dr. Andrew Weil published “Spontaneous Healing” 1996. Dr. David Williams, and Dr. Michael Murray founded the American Holistic Medical Association in 1997. Today there are hundreds of holistic medical schools all around the globe, including Bastyr University. Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. Maharishi Ayurveda Institute. Pacific School of Oriental Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Holistic medicine was named by the World Health Organization as one of the five most important trends in healthcare. This trend seeks to integrate conventional healthcare with complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, acupuncture and massage therapy. This integration seeks to provide safe, efficient, patient-centered care, while minimizing side effects.
Holistic medicine is based on the interconnectedness and harmony of the body, mind, spirit. If any of these three elements are out of balance, illness can occur. Here are some examples:
Your mind can be anxious or stressed and you feel anxious. This causes you to become more tense. Your body reacts by making cortisol. This hormone increases inflammation throughout your body. It causes fatigue, weakness, and even sickness.
You feel negative emotions such as anger, fear, grief and sadness when your emotions are high. These feelings create stress in your brain. If you don't treat this stress, your body can produce adrenaline (and cortisol) if it isn't addressed. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate. Cortisol is a hormone that affects your immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Both hormones can cause muscle tension, fatigue, headaches (dizziness), insomnia, anxiety and depression, among other health problems.
Your spirit can become depressed and you may lose your faith in the world. You might also experience low self-esteem, confidence, and lack of self-confidence. This could lead to unhealthy eating habits, low energy, and unhealthy relationships. A healthy spirit makes you happy, joyful, peaceful and optimistic.
The difference between alternative medicine and allopathic medicine
Allopathic medicine uses scientific methods. To diagnose patients, doctors use x-rays and MRIs as well as CAT scans and other technologies. If necessary, doctors prescribe medications and may perform surgery. Allopathic doctors believe they are able to diagnose and treat illness. Alternative medicine is based on herbs, vitamins and minerals, diet, exercise as well as emotional support and spiritual healing. Alternative medicine does not have a defined definition. You can call it natural medicine. It is also known as traditional medicine or naturopathic medicine.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you're experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: Effective Home Remedies for Managing Sleep Apnea
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/lifestyle-2/tips-for-helping-with-sleep-apnea/
Published Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:07:29 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more information on holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, including his or her spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. Holistic medicine doesn't focus on curing disease. It focuses on healing.
Holistic medicine is a combination of preventive measures like exercise and nutrition, as well as treatments for chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.
There are many forms of holistic medicine.
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based
The evidence base supporting complementary and alternate medicine is still developing, but there are many factors that people choose to use these therapies. They may have tried conventional treatments but found them ineffective, or they may want to try an alternative therapy because they believe it offers benefits over conventional care. Alternative and complementary medicine may be an option. This is part of a holistic approach. It is vital that patients verify that all complementary and alternative medicines are supported by scientific evidence. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if in doubt about the effectiveness of a particular treatment. It can save you both time and money.
What's the difference between alternative medicine or complementary medicine?
Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn't considered standard by mainstream medical practitioners but which has been shown to have benefits for some conditions. Homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are all examples. Complementary Medicines are treatments that add to the treatment of conventional medicine. They may also be used in combination with it. These include nutritional supplements like vitamins, minerals or herbs, amino acid, enzymes or probiotics.
While both forms of medicine are commonly used, many conventional doctors do not recommend them due to insufficient evidence or safety concerns.
There is no consensus among healthcare providers about the best approach to integrating CAM within patient care.
Many CAM practices are based upon theories that have been around for thousands of years. Clinical trials conducted over the past two decades have shown that some of these treatments might be effective.
A variety of studies have suggested that acupuncture might relieve pain. Similarly, preliminary data show that it may reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Other CAM methods may have therapeutic effects on conditions like HIV/AIDS and diabetes, heart disease or hypertension, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and rheumatoidarthritis.
Even though there are still gaps in our knowledge about the effectiveness of CAM, most experts agree that it can play a role in treating various ailments.
As a result, CAM practitioners are becoming more popular as a way to treat common illnesses.
Despite this popularity, many people still have questions about “alternatives” and “complementary” medicine.
What does holistic mean?
Holistic means whole-based. Holistic refers to looking at the whole picture, not just one part. This can be hard because we are used seeing things as parts.
We tend to think of black and then white. However, grey comes in a wide range of shades.
When working on a project, you should try to view it from multiple angles. Consider it from every side.
Consider how the whole thing fits together. How does each of its components interact with one another?
You should also ask yourself why the problem is occurring. Don't forget about the effects of any change that you make.
What are the 5 domains that make up integrative medicine (IM)?
The five domains of integrative medicine include mind-body, nutrition, social determinants, lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas encompass all aspects related to health care: spiritual, environmental, and physical.
Integrative medicine seeks to address all aspects of health and wellness. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
Statistics
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise of complementary and other medicine: A sociological perspective
- Holistic medicine – PubMed
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal – Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
How To
What are the Pros and Cons of Holistic Medical?
Holistic medicine is a medical practice that emphasizes the importance of mind, body, spirit, environment, and social factors in the healing process. The late 19th-century pioneer of holistic medicine was Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), the author of The Doctor's Book of Mind Cure. He used simple techniques such as meditation, visualization, and hypnosis. This treatment was beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety, depressions, stress, pain, insomnia, or other illnesses. In addition, this kind of therapy helps patients cope with their problems and improve their quality of life.
Although holistic therapies are still practiced today, they have lost popularity because of the lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. However, some studies show that these treatments can help reduce symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, migraine, obesity, osteoporosis, and others.
These are the highlights and pitfalls of holistic medicine:
- Insufficient scientific evidence. Only a few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluate the benefits of holistic therapies. Positive results are found in the majority of observational studies.
- Comparable to traditional medicine, alternative medicines are less expensive. Some alternative medicines are cheaper than traditional ones, especially when the patient follows a natural diet.
- Patients are not under any pressure to adhere to the prescribed protocol.
- Many doctors will recommend complementary treatments, even if they are not prescribed.
- Holistic treatments are often combined with conventional medicine. Acupuncture is often combined with medications or surgery.
- People believe that alternative treatments work better than conventional medicine.
- Alternative medicines are considered more “natural” than conventional drugs.
- Many patients seek out complementary therapies to help them adapt their lifestyles. They want to be healthy but also want to enjoy their lives.
- Patients who practice holistic therapies are healthier.
- Older adults are increasingly turning to holistic treatments.
- Complementary treatments require more research.
- Research has shown that many people would prefer to explore alternative treatment options before visiting a doctor.
- Doctors should understand that not every patient will benefit from alternative treatment.
- Holistic treatments should be part of our culture and education system.
- Holistic treatments might not be for everyone.
- So that patients can make informed decisions, we must be able to communicate with them about the various therapies.
- Holistic treatments aren't only for hippies.
- Certain diseases cannot be treated with holistic treatments.
- Sometimes, holistic treatments can be dangerous.
- For specific conditions, holistic treatments can be helpful.
- Holistic treatments are very effective.
- Holistic treatments use ancient knowledge.
- It is easy to learn holistic treatments.
- It is difficult to learn holistic treatments.
- Holistic treatments are hard to learn.
- Holistic therapies are too expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be quite expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be less expensive than conventional medicines.
- Holistic treatments can be more expensive than conventional medicines.
****
Holistic Medicine – A Short History
Holistic medicine treats the whole person. It is not about treating their symptoms. It covers all aspects of the body, including emotional, mental and spiritual as well as occupational, environmental, cultural and lifestyle influences. Prevention is more important than treatment and it focuses on preventing disease through diet, exercise and relaxation.
Bastyr University, Seattle was the first school to offer holistic medicine. It was founded in 1972. Holistic medicine was born after Dr. Andrew Weil published “Spontaneous Healing” 1996. Dr. David Williams, and Dr. Michael Murray founded the American Holistic Medical Association in 1997. Today there are hundreds of holistic medical schools all around the globe, including Bastyr University. Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. Maharishi Ayurveda Institute. Pacific School of Oriental Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Holistic medicine was named by the World Health Organization as one of the five most important trends in healthcare. This trend seeks to integrate conventional healthcare with complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, acupuncture and massage therapy. This integration seeks to provide safe, efficient, patient-centered care, while minimizing side effects.
Holistic medicine is based on the interconnectedness and harmony of the body, mind, spirit. If any of these three elements are out of balance, illness can occur. Here are some examples:
Your mind can be anxious or stressed and you feel anxious. This causes you to become more tense. Your body reacts by making cortisol. This hormone increases inflammation throughout your body. It causes fatigue, weakness, and even sickness.
You feel negative emotions such as anger, fear, grief and sadness when your emotions are high. These feelings create stress in your brain. If you don't treat this stress, your body can produce adrenaline (and cortisol) if it isn't addressed. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate. Cortisol is a hormone that affects your immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Both hormones can cause muscle tension, fatigue, headaches (dizziness), insomnia, anxiety and depression, among other health problems.
Your spirit can become depressed and you may lose your faith in the world. You might also experience low self-esteem, confidence, and lack of self-confidence. This could lead to unhealthy eating habits, low energy, and unhealthy relationships. A healthy spirit makes you happy, joyful, peaceful and optimistic.
The difference between alternative medicine and allopathic medicine
Allopathic medicine uses scientific methods. To diagnose patients, doctors use x-rays and MRIs as well as CAT scans and other technologies. If necessary, doctors prescribe medications and may perform surgery. Allopathic doctors believe they are able to diagnose and treat illness. Alternative medicine is based on herbs, vitamins and minerals, diet, exercise as well as emotional support and spiritual healing. Alternative medicine does not have a defined definition. You can call it natural medicine. It is also known as traditional medicine or naturopathic medicine.
