Complimentary therapies are hands-on sessions that stimulate & work with the body’s natural healing processes. There are many different disciplines & can be used either as an alternative to conventional medicine, or to assist it. Many such practices originate in the depths of history but have been revised and modified over time for use today.
So why are more & more people choosing complimentary therapies over medication these days & how could they impact your workforce? This is because they can have less severe side effects, are holistic (treat the body as a whole), & you learn more about your body - becoming more ‘body aware.’
Types that we are most likely to come across are massage, reflexology, acupuncture, reiki, Indian head massage, Bowen therapy, kinesiology, & osteopathy. Rather than describe each therapy, I'm going to mention the two main ways in which they work.
1) By stimulating the nervous system we can get muscles to 'let go' of undetected tension. This then allows nutrient rich blood in to repair any damaged tissues & we can re-educate the body in its natural movement patterns / reflexes.
2) Many therapies work with the body's own energy balance, or meridian channels. If we become stressed or injured, this blocks or distorts our energy channels. Practitioners work to re-balance these which then help the body to recover to full health again.
If any theories of complimentary treatments sound a little 'out-there', then the only way to see if they really work is to try them for yourself! You don't have to be in poor health to be treated, many people go every so often for the relaxation benefits. Lets think about it - if they didn't work, would they still be around after all this time? Ask the local chemist or GP surgery for your closest registered practitioners & treat someone to a Christmas present with a difference this year!