ACUPUNCTURE:
an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure disease or relieve pain (as in surgery)

ACUPRESSURE:
the application of pressure (as with the thumbs or fingertips) to the same discrete points on the body stimulated in acupuncture that is used for its therapeutic effects (as the relief of tension or pain)

MOVEMENT THERAPIES:
Movement therapies are techniques aimed at "retraining" your body to move in a healthy way to relieve chronic pain and muscular tension

• The use of body motion to induce affective physiological functions. Movement therapy may include bodywork methods such as awareness and education, breathing and emotional expression, muscle and tissue manipulation, and targeted movement patterns.
• Often helps in releasing tension and giving relief from musculoskeletal pain, and in gaining overall heightened awareness.
• Is practiced to treat the whole person.
• Used to enhance mind-body awareness and promote healthier constitutions.
• Considered safe and noninvasive when instructed by a trained practitioner.

A few types of movement therapy:
Aston patterning, the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Hellerwork, Pilates, and Trager work.

FELDENKRAIS:

• used for a system of aided body movements intended to increase bodily awareness and ease tension
• aims to restore full range of motion to people who have developed inhibited patterns of movement in response to injuries, emotional stress, or long hours of sitting
• During a session of "Functional Integration,one lies on a padded table while a practitioner gently guides the patient through various movements to make him/her aware of subtle nuances that can have a big effect on how he/she moves and holds oneself.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE:

• a technique for positioning and moving the body that is believed to reduce tension and for improving posture, balance, and ease of movement.
• The goal is to help you identify and change unconscious mistakes in posture and improve the alignment of the head, neck, and spine in order to relieve muscular tension, aches, and pains.

PILATES:

• used for an exercise regimen typically performed with the use of specialized apparatus and designed to improve the overall condition of the body.
• Dancers have been using the Pilates method to stretch and strengthen muscles, loosen joints, and improve balance for the last 70 years.
• you position yourself on various contraptions that look like a cross between weight-training machines and gymnastics equipment.
• Harnesses, pulleys, and chains create resistance and stability as you move your limbs according to your instructor's commands. The exercise is meant to be meditative and can be fast-paced and challenging.

YOGA:

• a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation
• a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation derived from Yoga but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote bodily or mental control and well-being

ROLFING:
Rolf received a doctorate in biochemistry and physiology. After working 12 years as a biochemist, she devoted 40 years to developing a new kind of physical therapy involving vigorous manipulation of the body's underlying musculature. The muscular manipulation was held to correct the body's structure so that it would be in alignment with the earth's gravitational field. Rolfing became an object of considerable popular interest in the 1970s.

MASSAGE:
manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument especially for therapeutic purposes.

CRANIAL SACRAL THERAPY:
Based on the theory, developed by a 1930s osteopathic physician, that the bones of the skull never fully fuse and can be delicately manipulated to treat illness. Practitioners claim that by applying gentle pressure at various places, they can restore this rhythmic flow; bring the bones back into alignment; and relieve chronic headaches, muscle tension, and joint pain, as well as emotional disorders such as depression and PMS.

REIKI:
a system of hands-on touching based on the belief that such touching by an experienced practitioner produces beneficial effects by strengthening and normalizing certain vital energy fields held to exist within the body

QIGONG/CHI KUNG:
an ancient Chinese healing art involving meditation, controlled breathing, and movement exercises designed to improve physical and mental well-being and prevent disease - called also chi kung, ch'i kung

CHIROPRACTIC:
a system of therapy which holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body structures (as the spinal column)

HOMEOPATHY:
a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in healthy persons produce symptoms similar to those of the disease

BIOFEEDBACK:
the technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (as heartbeat or brain waves) perceptible to the senses (as by the use of an oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious mental control

AYURVEDA:
a form of alternative medicine that is the traditional system of medicine of India, that preceded and evolved independently of Western medicine, and that seeks to treat and integrate body, mind, and spirit using a comprehensive holistic approach especially by emphasizing diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing, and physical therapy

NATUROPATHY:
A system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural agents (as air, water, and herbs) and physical means (as tissue manipulation and electrotherapy). Naturopaths believe in the healing power of nature and use a variety of approaches - oriental, physical, homeopathic, botanical, among others - to help the body heal itself.

HOLISTIC:
Relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts. Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body. The emphasis here is on the whole person - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - as well as personal responsibilty and participation in one's own health care.

AIKIDO:
Aikido was founded in Japan, by Morihei Ueshiba in the late 1800s - early 1900s. Aikido is based on several styles of jujitsu, along with sword and spear-fighting martial arts. Aikido focuses on using opponent's energy to gain control of them. Rather than punching or kicking the opponent, great emphasis is pronounced on motion and movement dynamics.

Aikido teaches two fundamental guidelines: Commitment to peaceful resoloutions and commitment to self-improvement through Aikido training. Aikido offers many benefits - from self-defense, to spiritual enlightenment, to physical health and peace of mind.

KINESIOLOGY:

• developed in the early 1900s by a group of medical professors, is the study of movement.
• primarily focuses on movement and physical activity attuned to one's intellect. Physical activities such as health and physical improvement exercises, fitness, daily life activities, working activities, and sports are all areas applied in kinesiology.
• Kinesiology also intervenes with groups of society where persons with disability, injury, disease and athletics can be affected by it. kinesiology can be knowledgeably applied for methods of supportive exercise, sport biomechanics, philosophy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular/cellular physiology, psychology, sociology, motor behavior, measurement, physical fitness and sports medicine. Applied kinesiology (as mentioned above) can be mulitply utilized or fractionally used for addressing problems of physical, mental and emotional wellness.

MAGNETIC THERAPY:

• Magnetic therapy is an alternative medicine form of treatment that helps relieve pain naturally and quickly. Magnetic therapy can help reduce inflammation, restore energy levels, increase blood circulation, support healing processes and can improve overall quality of life. The way magnetic therapy works is through bioelectromagnetic fields that help to restore health by assisting cells to regain their natural electromagnetic frequency.
• magnetic therapy is attainable through versatile means of treatment
• used in mattress pads, jewelry, water and fuel, eye patches, magnetic insoles, wraps and pads, even veterinarian products.
• often cited by magnetic manufacturers as evidence that magnetic field therapy can potentially affect the ciruclation of blood; thus help in healing
• not harmful or invasive

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY:

• an alternative treatment whereby persons breath pure oxygen under greater atmospheric pressure than normally.
• allows the breath to hyper-oxygenate blood plasma in patients that are suffering from inflammation, edema or poor circulation.
• enhances healing and increases blood supply via formation and differentiation of blood vessels (also known as angiogenesis).
• is primarily used for persons suffering from : Air or Gas Embolism, Burns, Gas Gangrene and Soft Tissue, Infections, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Osteomyelitis and other Bone Diseases, Brain Abscess, Decompression Injuries, Non Healing Wounds and Diabetic Ulcers, Skin Grafts and Flaps and many other physical health problems: Brain Trauma and Coma, Autism and Epilepsy, Plastic Surgery, Migraines, Fungal Infections, Chronice Fatigue Sydrome, Sports Injuries, Brain Edema, Stroke, Heart Disease, Near Drowning, Frost Bite, Multiple Sclerosis, Back Problems, Immune Enhancement, Detoxification and even more health issues.

FLOATATION TANK:

• a sensory-deprivation tool, the floatation tank is a box that is 10 inches in depth filled with water of 93.5 degree Fahrenheit. Included with 800 punds of Epsom Salt. This combination allows for the brain to fall into the Theta state. While in this floatation tank, individuals are offered a stress-free environment to rest and relax.
• utilized in Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), a floatation tanks offers a unique intervention in effectively working with various stress disorders, chronic pain, relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and mediation as well.
• individuals are free from light and sound to further its effectual experience.
• has no known side effects.

Information Provided By:
Merriam-Webster Online
http://www.medlineplus.com
http://www.holisticjunction.com