AYURVEDA The traditional Indian system of medicine. Ayurvedic (meaning 'science of life') medicine is a comprehensive system that places equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit, and it strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual.
BIOFEEDBACK A process for monitoring a body function (such as breathing, heart rate or blood pressure) and altering the function through relaxation or imagery.
CHIROPRACTIC A system of treatment that is based on the relationship between structure (mainly of the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS Products that contain one or more ingredients (such as vitamins, minerals and herbs) that are intended to supplement the diet, are intended for human use and are in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder or another preparation that is not a conventional food.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS Magnetic fields can be used therapeutically to create a static force on the body for the purpose of relieving pain.
HERBAL MEDICINES Individual herbs or mixtures of herbs that are used for therapeutic value.
HERBS Plants or plant products that produce or contain chemicals that act on the body.
HOMEOPATHY A Western system of medicine that is based on the principle that 'like cures like' — that is, the same substance that in large doses produces the symptoms of an illness cures it when administered in very small doses. Homeopathic physicians believe that the more dilute the remedy, the greater its potency. Therefore, homeopaths treat illness by using small doses of specially prepared plant extracts and minerals to stimulate the defence mechanisms and healing processes of the body.
HYPNOSIS An alternative state of consciousness in which the attention of an individual is focused away from the present reality and towards particular images, thoughts, perceptions, feelings, motivations, sensations, behaviours or any combination of these.
MASSAGE The manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to normalize them.
MEDITATION A self-directed method for relaxing the body and calming the mind. The practitioner makes a concentrated effort to focus on a single thought to still the inclination of the mind to mull over the many demands and details of daily life.
NATUROPATHIC TREATMENT A system of treatment that views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the processes by which the body naturally heals itself. It emphasizes restoration of health, as well as treatment of disease. Naturopathic physicians use an array of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine.
QIGONG A component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation and the regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of vital energy (qi, pronounced chi) in the body, to improve blood circulation and to enhance immune function.
REIKI Means 'universal life energy' in Japanese. It is based on the belief that, by channelling spiritual energy through the practitioner, the spirit is healed, and the spirit, in turn, heals the physical body.
SPECIAL DIETS Diet therapies that are believed to prevent and/or control illness and/or promote health, such as those proposed by Drs Atkins and Ornish.
SPIRITUALITY An inner sense of something greater than oneself. Recognition of a meaning to existence that transcends one's immediate circumstances.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE A system of treatment that emphasizes the proper balance or disturbances of qi (vital energy) in health and disease, respectively. Traditional Chinese medicine consists of a group of techniques and methods, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, oriental massage and qigong (a form of energy therapy).
VISUAL IMAGERY A flow of thoughts that includes sensory qualities such as smell, touch, hearing, taste, motion and images.
VITAMINS A general term for various unrelated organic substances that occur in many foods in small amounts and that are required for the normal metabolic functioning of the body.
YOGA An ancient system of practices originating in India. It is aimed at integrating mind, body and spirit to enhance health and well-being. There are many different forms of yoga. Hatha yoga — the most widely practised form of yoga in the Western world — uses specific postures and breathing exercises.
