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Keeping healthy the natural way
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Once upon a time, if someone told you that they could tell what was wrong with you by just touching your feet or looking into your eyes, you’d have thought they were crazy. Today, as the popularity of natural therapies increases, these same claims don’t even raise an eyebrow.
The World Health Organisation estimates that Australians spend approximately one billion dollars every year on natural medicines.
And in 1996, 48 percent of the population sought some form of natural medicine treatment.
Natural therapies, as the name suggests, are designed to diagnose, treat and prevent ailments using natural methods and materials.
Each method or treatment is based on the principle of vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature) – a belief that the human body has the power to heal itself. It is similar to Chinese medicine in that enthusiasts believe that when the body’s energy is flowing correctly, good health follows. Each treatment works to restore the body’s energy flow by treating blockages.
Unlike conventional medicine, natural medicines adopt a more holistic and preventative approach to health. It doesn’t just treat a particular condition – it looks at the physiological, psychological, spiritual, social and lifestyle factors that affect your health. This makes natural medicines a longer-term approach to health.
But with so many natural therapies out there, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between them all. So we’ve put together this mini guide, so that the next time somebody asks you how you’re energy is flowing, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about.
 Reflexology
This is one of the few types of massage where you don’t have to take off your clothes. This is because reflexologists focus specifically on your feet, hands and ears. They believes that reflex points, each relating to a different part of the body, can be found in the feet, hands and ears. When pressure is applied to these points, they stimulate the body’s own healing process. For example, if you’ve got a sore shoulder, your reflexologist can ease the tension in it by applying pressure to the shoulder reflex point found just underneath your little toe.
The Reflexology Association of Australia says the benefits of reflexology include:
- reduced stress and tension
- reduced pain
- improved circulation
- balancing of the nervous system
- improved sleep
- increased energy and vitality.
According to the Association, these benefits are backed by a number of international studies and are widely recognised – reflexology is used in hospitals throughout China and many European companies employ reflexologists to help ease workplace stress.
Iridology
It’s long been said that the eyes are the window to the soul and iridologists believe they can reveal a lot about an individual by studying their iris. The International Iridology Practitioners Association believe that various marks and signs in our eyes tell how our body reacts to our environment, what areas or organ systems are likely to cause us concern, as well as any future challenges our bodies may face as we age.
It cannot however, detect specific diseases and instead works to recognise health problems early and suggest ways to keep the illness from developing.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy was discovered in the late 1700s and has been widely used around the world for more than 200 years. It is a holistic system of medicine that treats the individual rather than the disease by administering homeopathic medicines.
These medicines consist of plant, mineral and animal extracts that take into account each individual’s unique symptoms as well as their health, lifestyle, physical and emotional conditions.
Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle that ‘like treats like’ or the ‘law of similars’. This means that patients are prescribed medication that would cause the same symptoms in healthy people.
Once prescribed, each remedy is then repeatedly diluted in a process called ‘potentisation’ as homeopaths believe this process renders the remedy capable of stimulating the body’s natural healing forces.
Homeopathy is believed to help treat:
- allergies
- asthma
- eczema
- hayfever
- improved sleep
- headaches
- stress.
Myotherapy
Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy that is used to treat soft tissue and myofascial pain. Myofascia are thin fibrous sheets of tissue that surround and separate our muscles. Our ligaments and tendons contain bundles of myofascia. When they are injured, it can lead to restricted movement and mobility.
Myotherapy massage works to restore these damaged fascias by loosening your muscle tissues, releasing toxins from your muscles and getting your blood and oxygen circulating properly.
The Institute of Registered Myptherapists of Australia believes that myotherapy can be used to treat:
- tension headaches
- chronic back, shoulder, knee and leg pain
- tennis elbow and shin splints
- chronic overuse syndrome
- muscle sprains.
 In need of some natural therapy?
Australian Unity offers members some great benefits on a wide range of natural therapies.
Lifechoice Plus: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Bowen Technique, Chinese Medicine, Herbalism, Homoeopathy, Iridology, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Myotherapy, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Remedial Massage, Swedish Massage and Shiatsu
Lifechoice:Acupuncture, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, Remedial Massage, Myotherapy
Smart Start & Smart Combination:Myotherapy Acupuncture, Naturopathy
Harmony Natural Therapies:Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Massage, Dietetics , Herbalism, Homoeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Myotherapy, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Remedial Massage, Swedish Massage and Shiatsu
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To find out more call 13 29 39 or visit australianunity.com.au
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