I have recently covered the Raindrop Technique which is a natural therapy using pure certified essential oils (free lectures every Wednesday eve, held at the deLicious restaurant, Jimbaran, from 7pm - 9pm) but I know there is more to learn, so consulted friend, Frederique about some of these more well known healing therapies that one hears about, particularly in Bali -
Naturopathy - is based on the idea that the body is self-healing. The body will repair itself & recover from an illness spontaneously if in a healthy environment. Firstly, you will be asked about your medical history & that of your immediate family, & medications/vitamins you are currently taking. Lifestyle topics regarding dietary habits, sleep patterns, exercise regimen & stress levels will also be discussed. Iridology is usually performed to gather further information on the condition of the various body systems. Following the consultation, you may be prescribed herbal preparations comprising of any number of herbs, vitamins, minerals or other natural nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, Bach Flowers, etc. Advice on exercise and/or diet may also be given.
Iridology - is the science & practice of analyzing the iris of the eye. The iris reveals changing conditions of every organ of the body. In addition, through various marks, signs & coloration in the iris, nature reveals inherited weaknesses & strengths During an iris analysis, the practitioner can see the person’s overall state of health based on the density of the iris fibres, patterns, structures, colors & degrees of lightness & darkness in the iris. Iridology can also reveal the relative site of over-activity, irritation, injury or degeneration of the tissues & organs. Toxic accumulation levels can be observed as well as nutritional & chemical imbalances.
Herbal Medicine - refers to the use of plants to treat a variety of medical conditions. The herbs are administered in many ways & are used both internally & topically. Herbs facilitate the healing of a person as a whole & may be used for all physical & some mental/emotional disorders. Many of the pharmaceutical drugs used today are derived from herbs. However these drugs are based on what are considered to be the plant’s “active” ingredients (e.g. certain chemicals that have been isolated from the original plant), whereas herbalism utilizes the whole plant, or at the very least the roots, leaves, flowers or seeds. It is believed that these so-called “inactive” ingredients play a significant role in determining the herb’s overall therapeutic effect.
Clinical Nutrition, Diet and Detoxification -- the body has three basic functions: building, cleansing/detoxifying & maintenance/balance. A healthy diet will aid these natural processes, facilitating one’s healing & maintaining an optimal state of health. Food & nutritional supplements can also help treat specific symptoms.
What is a “detox”? its a process of cleansing one’s body of toxins. Although basic detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels & blood. Will I feel better or worse during the detox? some people feel better immediately, gaining energy & a sense of well being from the start of their program, while others may experience headaches or flu-like symptoms, nausea or feel fatigued for several days. What are the benefits of a detox programme? Toxins not properly eliminated from the body are stored like fat, eventually accumulating to the point of causing disease. A detoxification programme removes toxic wastes from the tissues, blood & cells of the body, thus ensuring optimal health.
Allergy Elimination – an individual can be allergic to anything he comes in contact with - foods, pharmaceutical drugs, herbs, vitamins, chemicals, pollen, etc. In the allergic person, the brain views the allergen as a threat to the body. Allergens can cause blockages in our energy pathways or meridians, disrupting the normal energy flow throughout the body & creating an imbalance which can lead to poor health.
Undiagnosed allergies are often the cause of chronic illnesses which, when left untreated, can become serious. N.A.E.T. (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques) is a safe & effective way to eliminate allergies. The practitioner investigates which allergy needs to be removed with a technique called ‘kinesiology’. Next, a massage is given to pressure points along the spine, along with breathing techniques, followed by stimulation of certain acupressure points. The muscle is re-tested to confirm that the allergy is gone. Since only one allergen can be treated during each session, the patient may need a series of treatments until all allergies are cleared permanently.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy - the CranioSacral system consists of the membranes of the central nervous system, their attachments to the cranial bones & the sacrum, & the cerebrospinal fluid which rhythmically moves within the CranioSacral system. Practitioners of CranioSacral Therapy observe this rhythmic movement to identify restrictions both within the system & throughout the body’s connective tissue.
In a typical session, the CranioSacral therapist will tune into the inner wisdom & body intelligence of the patient, & facilitate the plan of treatments indicated by this inner wisdom.
CranioSacral Therapy is one of the safest therapeutic treatments, because it is essentially the art of listening and enabling the body to heal itself. It is so gentle that it is suitable for babies, children & the elderly, as well as people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Patients often experience a sense of deep relaxation during & after a treatment session.
So, there you have it ‘in the bag’. No excuses for not being healthy!
Frederique is a long time Bali resident & Naturopath from Holistic Healing Centre, the “Dijon complex”. T: 766 259 E: healing@indosat.net.id
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