Glossary and Links to Complementary/Alternative Therapies



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ACTIVE MUSCULAR RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

Active muscular relaxation techniques are a powerful new approach to bodywork used for relaxing overactive muscles and managing soft tissue pain from trauma or poor posture. Active muscular relaxation techniques utilize resisted isometric contractions of the overactive muscle or its antagonist (the one opposing its action). The objective of this procedure is to relax and/or lengthen (stretch) the overactive muscle. (3)
ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure is an ancient health care practice that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles whereas acupressure uses a gentle but firm pressure of the hands (as well as the fists, elbows, arms and feet in some techniques). Acupressure, the older of the two traditions, uses the power and sensitivity of human touch. (10)
ACUPUNCTURE

As in other forms of Oriental medicine, acupuncture is based on a bioelectric medical system in which energy in the body travels along pathways called meridians. Points on the body, called acupuncture points, connect the energy flow to organs and corresponding physiological systems. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians where each point affects the vital energy, or qi energy, that passes through it. Disease and other health problems occur when there is a disruption in this energy flow. During therapy, acupuncture practitioners stimulate acupuncture points, usually by needles or through other methods such as acupressure massage or moxibustion. (12)
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

The Alexander technique is a method used to help people illuminate their unconscious patterns of body tension and correct habits that cause physical and emotional problems. It is used to allow a person to pattern his or her body's movement, inhibiting habits that cause tension or pain and replacing them with those that help his or her body to function more efficiently. (17)
AMINO ACID THERAPY

Amino acid therapy is the use of "free form" amino acids for various therapeutic purposes. Supplements of pure amino acids in the form of powder, capsules, or pills are referred to as free-form amino acids. In conjunction with vitamins and minerals, amino acid supplements can be used to treat a variety of illnesses, including many physical and mental disorders. (3)
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY

Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. (11)
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY

Applied kinesiology (AK) is a form of diagnosis using muscle testing as a primary feedback mechanism to examine how a person’s body is functioning. When properly applied, the outcome of an AK diagnosis will determine the best form of therapy for the patient. Since AK draws together the core elements of many complementary therapies, it provides an interdisciplinary approach to health care. (18)
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

Applied physiology uses the science and art of muscle/fascial monitoring to learn about states of stress in the body. Certain specific muscles are related to various organs and body systems through the acupuncture meridian network. By monitoring a specific muscle, it is possible to get a "readout" of energy related to a particular organ or body system. (3)
AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It is an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process. (20)
ART THERAPY

Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing. Through creating art and talking about art and the process of art making with an art therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic creativity. (6)
ASTON-PATTERNING

Aston-Patterning is the application of the Aston paradigm (perceptions about our bodies' natural form and function, our processes of learning and self-expression, and our interaction with the physical properties of the planet and our environment) to human movement, bodywork, and ergonomics, matching human function to its environment. As a form of therapy, its uniqueness lies partly in its comprehensive approach to the whole individual rather than seeing the body as separate parts. (10)
AURA THERAPY

Aura therapy is a healing technique based on reading a person's aura, or vital energy field, and then treating diseases revealed by the aura color or colors. There are several variations of treatment, but therapy emphasizes manipulating the aura energy back into a positive balance. (14)
AURICULOTHERAPY

Auriculotherapy, also called ear acupuncture, applies the principles of acupuncture to specific points on the ear. Auriculotherapists believe that healing processes can be promoted by working with these points on the ear, because the ear contains many blood vessels and nerve endings that, when stimulated, influence the organs and bodily functions. (14)
AUTOGENIC TRAINING

Autogenic training, also known as Autogenics, is a system of simple mental (meditative) exercises, which consciously focuses the creative power of the mind on relaxation and awareness. It promotes deep relaxation, greater awareness, self-discovery, and self-regulation. It is designed to switch off the "fight or flight" response and invoke the rest, relaxation, and recreation system within the body. (3)
AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is based on the premise that disease is the natural end result of living out of harmony with our environment. "Natural" is an important word because Ayurveda understands that symptoms of disease are the body’s normal way of communicating disharmony. With this understanding of disease, Ayurveda's approach to healing becomes obvious: To reestablish harmony between the self and the environment. Once this is reestablished the need for the body to communicate disharmony diminishes, symptoms dissipate, and healing has occurred. (10)

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