Alternative Therapy

In alternative therapy, illness is seen as a sign of disharmony within the whole person - body, mind and spirit. This form of complementary medicine works to restore harmony and balance, thus enabling the body's natural healing mechanisms to work more efficiently. Alternative therapy and modern medical science can be joined together to create a system of healing that offers the best of both worlds.

Integrative therapy Educational Forum

Open to the medical community, including physicians, integrative therapy healers, patients, and clients.

Meets 4th Wednesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. on 2nd floor of Boatmen's Annex at 38th and Lamar.

Call Seton Good Health School for more information.

512-323-1111

Meditation

Meditation can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and the concentration of the stress hormone (cortisol) in the blood stream. Regular meditation allays anxiety and reduces the severity of chronic pain. Meditation can also help in minimizing the nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy. There are many different meditation techniques.

Referral Resource:

MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

1000 North Fourth Street

Fairfield, IA 52556

515-472-5031

(Provides information about local teachers of Transcendental Medicine.)

Holistic Healing

Holistic healing addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. Therapists also counsel in life style changes, nutrition and herbs. Insurance will often cover, because of the mental healing aspect. Holistic Healing Web Page www.holisticmed.com

Herbal Therapy
In Herbal Therapy, specific herbs are used for specific indications. No license is required to practice Chinese herbal medicine. Ask practitioners about their training and where they went to school. Ask for references from previous patients. Practitioners should belong to local and national Chinese medicine-acupuncture professional associations.

Referral Resources:
AMERICAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
P.O. Box 144345
Austin, Texas 78714-4345
512-331-8868
Web address: www.herbalgram.org

LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION
800-841-LIFE
Web address: www.lef.org
(Call 800-327-9009, the advisor information line to get advice about herbs and their healing powers.)

Literary Resource

Whole Foods Market has a library containing many books on the curative power of herbs, as well as a user-friendly information computer terminal.
Web address:
www.wholefoods.com

Homeopathy
Homeopathy involves treating symptoms of a specific disease with very small doses of the agent that provoked them. The World Health Organization considers homeopathy a legitimate form of traditional medicine.

Referral Resources:

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR HOMEOPATHY
2366 Eastlake Avenue East, Suite 301
Seattle, WA 98102
206-533-12870
(This group sponsor courses and has a directory of their students.)

NATIONAL CENTER FOR HOMEOPATHY
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-7790
(Maintains a directory of homeopaths with a wide range of training and education.)