Alternate Therapies

There are many alternative therapies to consider when embracing a wellness lifestyle. Everyday you make a choice that will affect the health of your body. 

 

Acupressure 

• This is an oriental Chinese technique of applying pressure to specific points of the body to release muscle tension, restore balance and stimulate the energy passages in the body. These pathways follow the same pattern of the meridians (pathways) as acupuncture which promote relaxation and the body’s self-healing. If these pathways have a blockage, this will cause illness and pain which acupressure and acupuncture are thought to clear, allowing the body to return to a state of wellness and balance. 

Shiatsu

• Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure or finger pressure, which is used to relax and balance the body. The pressure applied for 5-8 seconds to muscle or to specific points in the body will cause a contraction, stimulate the nerve and promote overall relaxation. It is thought to lessen stress and protect against stress-related illness. It increases general body energy and recovery. 

Aromatherapy massage 

• Makes use of essential oils, which are applied to the body with the use of carrier oils. This form of therapy promotes relaxation but at the same time, targets specific skin conditions, with the benefits from each essential oil. Aromatherapy has been used for many years. Plants and essential oils are one of the most powerful support tools to help the body heal itself and support the emotional and physical needs of the body. 

Foot reflexology

• A technique of applying pressure to the feet based on a system of zones that correspond to areas of the body. It causes relaxation, increased circulation and balance to the entire body, as the nerves in the feet correspond with various parts of the body. Any areas that contain small knots or crystals are areas of unbalance in the body. 

Pilates 

• Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses primarily on overall mind and body wellness and harmony, by including stretches which is designed to build strength and tone your muscles. 

• Pilates may increase core strength, and improve posture and body flexibility, which leads to better balance. 

Mindfulness 

• Mindful practice is a way of paying attention and looking deeply into oneself. It is the journey of waking up from autopilot to reconnect with ourselves and our true wisdom. It teaches us how to deal with life’s challenges in a calmer manner. It is not the answer to all of life’s problems but rather it allows us to see our problems more clearly, be in touch with our body’s messages and be able to respond in a discerning way rather than reacting with high emotion and stress. 

Meditation 

• Most people understand “meditation” to be some form of controlling the mind, usually through some kind of concentration to get some silence or relaxation. Concentration, however, tends to take a lot of disciplined training and it is usually not all that enjoyable. It feels unnatural for the mind to be controlled. Meditation is an ancient practice that helps people go beyond their personalities and deeper within themselves so that they can experience a more profound and connected sense of their true self and their realities. The primary goal of meditation is to inspire peacefulness through spiritual connectedness, mental clarity, emotional tranquility, and physical relaxation. 

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The different lifestyle choices we make on an everyday basis affect the overall health of the body. Considering the 8 dimensions to incorporating the wellness lifestyle into our daily lives, we learned about what it can take to achieve inner wellness and considered alternate therapy that we could include to achieve inner balance and overall body wellness. 

Here is a bonus challenge for you: 

Document your daily routines, diets, activity and relaxation techniques to see where you can better your lifestyle. 

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