1. Functional Medicine
Functional medicine combines the best medical practices from around the world. It is a holistic, patient-centered, personal medicine committed to wellness and prevention of illness. Its practitioners aim to identify and cure underlying causes of illness and chronic dis-ease instead of simply managing symptoms. It is anchored in an examination of core imbalances in the body's major systems, which are often caused by environmental inputs.
Common categories of functional imbalance include stress, nutrition, intestinal dysfunction, impaired detoxification, and immune, inflammatory and endocrine imbalances. Functional medicine helps to restore balance and improve health by identifying what may be lacking; it examines special needs for vitamins, minerals, probiotics or amino acids. It also looks at what you might have but don't need, like environmental contaminants, heavy metals, bacteria, fungus and/or parasites.
For more information on this approach to restoring balance and improving your health, visit functionalmedicine.org.
2. Energy Medicine
Energy medicine recognizes energy as the fundamental, vital moving force in the body that determines health and happiness. The primary focus is on regaining and maintaining healthy energy flow. In order to overcome illness or maintain health, the body needs energy to move through its energetic system. Energies may become blocked due to toxins, trauma (physical or emotional), muscular or other constriction, chronic stress or interference from other energies. Healthy energetic balance can be non-invasively restored and maintained by tapping, massaging, pinching, twisting or moving the hand over specific energy points.
For more information on this approach to restoring balance and improving your health, visit energypsych.org.
3. Mind/Body Medicine
Mind/body medicine is based on the inseparable connections and complicated interactions between thoughts, emotions and the body. Physical symptoms are influenced by thoughts, feelings and behaviors; conversely, thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by physical symptoms. Social factors are important as well. Mind/body medicine integrates allopathic (regular) medical practices with psychology, nutrition, exercise physiology and positive beliefs to enhance the natural healing capacities of body and mind. It goes beyond the physical to address the framework of attitudes and behaviors that surround health. Mind/body medicine deals with the cycle of stress, anxiety, physical tension, symptoms and disease. It teaches individuals how to develop positive attitudes and make healthier lifestyle choices while breaking old harmful patterns.
For more information on this approach to restoring balance and improving your health, visit mbmi.org/home.
4. Chiropractic Approach
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who concentrates on mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Chiropractic treatment centers on manipulations of these two systems with the primary purpose of correcting spinal subluxation and maximizing nerve supply. The leading cause of all disease is seen as the result of a nerve supply compromised by spinal subluxation. Chiropractic care takes a more natural, individually centered approach, focusing on avoiding and reducing medication usage, improving nutrition, maximizing nerve supply, optimizing oxygen levels and lean muscle, achieving peace of mind and making strong social connections.
For more information on this approach to restoring balance and improving your health, visit amerchiro.org.
5. Dental Hygiene
The impact of dental hygiene on physical, mental and emotional health is now well documented. A healthy mouth acts as a frontline shield against illness. It can help prevent heart disease, stroke, premature labor and a host of other diseases. What happens in the mouth happens in the body. When the oral cavity shows evidence of inflammation and infection, conditions like autoimmune disorders, thyroid dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer are more likely.
For more information, visit ada.org.
