Acupuncture - acupressure
Alexander technique
Aromatherapy
Art therapy
Autogenic training and biofeedback
Bach flower remedies - Australian bush flower essences
Bowen
Chiropractic
Colour therapy
Counselling - psychotherapy
Dance therapy
Diet therapy
Healers - Reiki
Herbal medicine
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnosis
Iridology
Kinesiology
Massage
Naturopathy
Osteopathy
Reflexology
Shiatsu
T'ai chi
Yoga
The use of natural therapies or alternative remedies has increased dramatically in recent years. Its popularity (and evolving research) has meant that many treatments are now more respected and more readily used in conjunction with western medicine. Natural therapies are often referred to as complimentary treatments.
Natural therapists usually look at the big picture of human health, as many illnesses are the result of lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet, little exercise and substance abuse. Alternative practitioners usually require you to take responsibility for your own health and encourage your body towards self-healing.
Your body's response to a particular treatment can be very individual. For example, some people respond well to homeopathy while others obtain better results with herbs. Some people have personal preferences to use osteopathy rather than chiropractic or visa versa. In most cases, the general aim is to treat you in a holistic way, fostering self-awareness to achieve both physical and emotional well-being. However, you may find that your chosen natural therapist tends to only see a cure from their own specialty viewpoint, which may mean trying a few different approaches. Your belief in your body's ability to heal itself is often as important as your belief in the chosen treatment and your practitioner.
It is possible to use either natural or medical treatments to gain health benefits.