Alternative Therapy

 Lately I've been thinking a lot about alternative therapies. There are so many options available that most of us know very little about. I have struggled with depression, binge eating, anxiety, and low self esteem for a majority of my life. I have been through counseling, prescribed medicine, and tried countless "diets" to try and solve my issues. I feel more at peace with my life currently than I have in a long time, but like most of us, have deeply rooted problems that need attention from time to time. So the question arises, when is traditional therapy no longer the answer? I'm curious to discover what's available, but also like to research before diving in head first. Below I have listed alternative therapies or Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) that I have an interest in.
Note: More research is needed to determine the efficacy of nearly all of these practices, but that hasn’t stopped people from engaging in them. Some alternative therapies sound promising but the claims are not supported by scientific evidence. 

Acupuncture: A 3,000-year-old healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine that entails stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a needle penetrating the skin, to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions.

Conditions commonly treated by acupuncture include:
Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
Cancer pain
Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
Dysmenorrhea, primary
Earache
Female infertility
Headache
Insomnia
Low back pain
Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic
Nausea and vomiting
Obesity
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tobacco dependence

Aromatherapy: Uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for improving psychological or physical well-being. It can be offered as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medicine.

Conditions commonly treated with aromatherapy include:
Allergies
Anxiety
Fatigue/Tiredness
General Aches and Pains
Headaches 
Insomnia
Menopausal Imbalances 
Nausea
Stress

Ayurvedic Medicine: Originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, its concepts about health and disease promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique health practices. More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full human potential.

Conditions commonly treated with Ayurvedic Medicine include:

Hormonal Balance

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Lower Inflammation

Lower Stress and Anxiety

Promotes a Nutrient-Dense, Antioxidant-Rich Diet

Weight Loss or Maintenance

Combined Therapy Cocktail™: CTC is a life transforming therapy which encompasses various modalities including but not limited to NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming), Hypnosis, Reiki and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) in the perfect order to allow healing on all levels creating a holistic mind body and spirit transformation.

Conditions commonly treated with CTC include:
Addictions
Anger, resentment, frustration, unable to forgive
Depression
Eating disorders
Fatigue
Feeling stuck and uncertain of direction
Fears & phobias
Insecurities
Negative emotions
Weight related issues and the need to comfort eat

Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of human consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion. Its use in therapy, typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behavior by suggestion, has been revived but is still controversial.

Conditions commonly treated with Hypnosis include:
Alcoholism
Anxiety
Chronic pain
Memory/concentration improvement 
Phobias
Self-esteem/ego strengthening
Sexual problems
Weight control

While I do believe some alternative therapies or CAM work strictly because of a placebo effect, I also believe that there are different strokes for different folks. And how will you know if you don't try? Thousands of years, and some of these treatments are still around, there's got to be something to that. Do you have experience with alternative therapies? Please leave a comment below or send me an email here.